Ecosystems

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Ecology Noun

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[ee-kol-uh-jee]

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Ecology

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The scientific study of the interactions between living organisms and their surrounding physical and biological environment.

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Example: This diagram shows ecology in action: energy flows from the sun to plants, then to animals, and finally to decomposers, with heat lost at each step.

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Organism Noun

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[or-guh-niz-uhm]

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Organism

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An individual living being that is capable of growing, metabolizing, and responding to stimuli.

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Example: This diagram shows the hierarchical system used to classify all living organisms into specific groups, from the broadest category (Domain) to the most specific (Species).

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Species Noun

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[spee-sheez]

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Species

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A group of organisms that share similar characteristics and can breed with one another to produce fertile offspring.

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Example: This image shows many different breeds of dogs. Although they look very different, they all belong to the same species and can interbreed.

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Population Noun

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[pop-yuh-ley-shuhn]

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Population

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All the individuals of a single species that live together in a particular area at the same time.

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Example: This graph shows how a population, in this case, the number of bison, increases over a period of time, demonstrating the concept of population growth.

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Community Noun

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[kuh-myoo-ni-tee]

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Community

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All the different populations of various species that live and interact within the same geographical area.

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Example: This image shows a community by illustrating many different populations of species, like moose, bears, fish, and plants, all living together in the same pond habitat.

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Ecosystem Noun

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[ee-koh-sis-tuhm]

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Ecosystem

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A system including all living organisms and their non-living physical environment interacting in a specific area.

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Example: An ecosystem includes living things (like plants and animals) and non-living things (like the sun) interacting, as shown by the flow of energy.

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Biosphere Noun

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[bahy-oh-sfeer]

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Biosphere

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The part of Earth where life exists, including land, water, and the atmosphere, encompassing all ecosystems.

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Example: This diagram shows the biosphere as the zone of life on Earth, encompassing the atmosphere (air), lithosphere (land), and hydrosphere (water).

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Biotic Factor Noun

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[bahy-ot-ik fak-ter]

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Biotic Factor

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Any living or once-living component of an ecosystem that affects other organisms or the environment.

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Example: This diagram shows that biotic factors are all the living parts of an ecosystem, grouping them by their roles as producers, consumers, and decomposers.

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Abiotic Factor Noun

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[ey-bahy-ot-ik fak-ter]

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Abiotic Factor

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A non-living physical or chemical part of an ecosystem that influences living organisms and their functioning.

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Example: This image shows examples of abiotic (non-living) factors in an ecosystem, such as sunlight, water, temperature, wind, and rocks, integrated into the word 'Abiotic'.

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Habitat Noun

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[hab-i-tat]

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Habitat

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The specific natural environment or physical location where a particular population of a species lives.

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Example: This image shows six different types of habitats, such as forest, coastal, and arid, to illustrate the variety of natural environments where organisms live.