Competition in Ecosystems

Front

Competition Noun

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[kom-pi-tish-uhn]

Back

Competition

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An interaction between organisms or species for limited resources, where both are negatively affected by the struggle.

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Example: Multiple hands reaching for one loaf of bread shows individuals competing for the same limited food resource.

Front

Ecosystem Noun

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[ee-koh-sis-tuhm]

Back

Ecosystem

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A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment, functioning together as a single unit.

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Example: This pond ecosystem shows living things (biotic factors) like fish and plants, and non-living things (abiotic factors) like water, soil, and sunlight.

Front

Resource Noun

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[ree-sawrs]

Back

Resource

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A substance or object in the environment required by an organism for normal growth, maintenance, and reproduction.

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Example: This image shows the Earth as a water cooler, illustrating how humans use natural resources like water that come from our planet.

Front

Population Noun

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[pop-yuh-ley-shuhn]

Back

Population

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A group of individuals of the same species living and interbreeding within a given geographical area.

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Example: This large group of penguins living together in one area is a population.

Front

Photosynthesis Noun

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[foh-toh-sin-thuh-sis]

Back

Photosynthesis

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The process used by plants and other organisms to convert light energy into chemical energy as food.

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Example: This image shows how a plant uses energy from sunlight, water from the soil, and carbon dioxide from the air to make its own food and release oxygen.

Front

Species Noun

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[spee-sheez]

Back

Species

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A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding to produce fertile offspring.

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Example: This diagram shows that 'Species' is the most specific level in the biological classification system, used to group the most similar organisms.

Front

Rutting Noun

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[ruht-ing]

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Rutting

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The recurring period of sexual excitement and competitive fighting among males of certain mammal species, like deer.

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Example: This image shows two male deer locking antlers to fight for dominance, a key behavior during the mating season known as rutting.

Front

Dominance Noun

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[dom-uh-nuhns]

Back

Dominance

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A social status within an animal group where an individual has priority access to resources and mating opportunities.

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Example: Two male deer lock antlers in a fight to establish which one is stronger and will lead the group, showing behavioral dominance.

Front

Mutualism Noun

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[myoo-choo-uh-liz-uhm]

Back

Mutualism

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A symbiotic relationship between two different species in which both organisms benefit from their interaction.

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Example: This image shows an ant protecting a group of aphids. In return, the aphids produce a sugary liquid called honeydew for the ant to eat.

Front

Animal Behaviorist Noun

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[an-uh-muhl bi-heyv-yer-ist]

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Animal Behaviorist

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A scientist who studies animal behavior, including interactions with their environment and other animals.

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Example: An animal behaviorist is a scientist who observes and studies how animals act, like this person watching a primate to understand it better.