Habitats, Niches, and Species Interactions

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Habitat Noun

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[hab-i-tat]

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Habitat

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The natural home or environment where an organism lives, which includes the specific biotic and abiotic factors affecting it.

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Example: This diagram shows that a habitat is a natural environment, which can be classified into major types like terrestrial (land) and aquatic (water).

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Tolerance Noun

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[tol-er-uhns]

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Tolerance

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The variety of environmental conditions within which an organism has the ability to survive, grow, and successfully reproduce.

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Example: This graph shows an organism's tolerance range, with the highest population in the 'Optimum Range' and fewer individuals in 'Zones of Stress' where conditions are difficult.

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Niche Noun

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[nich]

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Niche

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The specific role an organism plays within its ecosystem, including its interactions and how it acquires necessary resources.

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Example: A goldfinch's niche includes perching on branches of a specific thickness; branches that are too thin or too thick are unsuitable for its feet.

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Resource Noun

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[ree-sors]

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Resource

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Any necessity of life that an organism requires for survival, growth, and reproduction in its environment.

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Example: In a habitat, organisms like deer depend on resources such as water from the river and food like grass to survive.

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Competitive Exclusion Principle Noun

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[kuhm-pet-i-tiv ik-skloo-zhuhn prin-suh-puhl]

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Competitive Exclusion Principle

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The ecological principle stating that two species competing for the same limited resources cannot coexist in the same niche.

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Example: When two species (P. aurelia and P. caudatum) compete for the same resources, one outcompetes the other, causing the weaker competitor's population to decline.

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Symbiosis Noun

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[sim-by-oh-sis]

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Symbiosis

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A close and long-term biological interaction between two different species living in close physical association with each other.

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Example: A clownfish lives safely among a sea anemone's stinging tentacles, showing a close relationship where two different species live together.

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Commensalism Noun

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[kuh-men-suh-liz-uhm]

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Commensalism

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A symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits while the other species is not significantly helped or harmed.

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Example: Barnacles attach to a whale's skin, gaining a safe place to live and access to food, while the whale is not significantly helped or harmed.

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Mutualism Noun

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[myoo-choo-uh-liz-uhm]

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Mutualism

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A type of symbiotic relationship where two different species interact in a way that is beneficial to both.

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Example: This diagram shows an ant and aphids in a mutualistic relationship; the aphids provide food for the ant, while the ant provides safety and transportation.

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Parasitism Noun

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[par-uh-si-tiz-uhm]

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Parasitism

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A symbiotic relationship where one organism, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the other, the host.

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Example: This image shows ticks, which are parasites, feeding on the blood of a host animal. The parasite benefits by getting food while the host is harmed.

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Microhabitat Noun

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[mai-kroh-hab-i-tat]

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Microhabitat

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A small, localized environment within a larger habitat that has its own unique set of physical and chemical conditions.

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Example: A larger habitat, like a garden, contains many smaller, distinct environments called microhabitats, each supporting different organisms like worms, snails, and insects.