Population Ecology

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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 organisms and their relationships with each other and their physical environment.

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Example: This diagram shows how energy flows through an ecosystem, starting from the sun, moving to plants, then to animals, and finally to decomposers.

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Population Noun

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[pop-yuh-ley-shuhn]

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Population

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A group of individuals of the same species that live and interbreed within a specific geographical area.

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Example: A group of individuals of the same species, like these ladybugs, living in the same area is called a population.

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Community Noun

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[kuh-myoo-ni-tee]

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Community

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An assemblage of all the different populations of various species living and interacting within the same defined area.

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Example: This image shows different species (a plant, caterpillar, bird, and microbes) interacting in the same area, which defines an ecological community.

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Ecosystem Noun

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[ee-koh-sis-tuhm]

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Ecosystem

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A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment, including both living and non-living components.

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Example: This diagram shows an 'education ecosystem,' illustrating how different organizations like schools and businesses are interconnected, which is a metaphorical, non-biological use of the term.

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Biome Noun

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[bahy-ohm]

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Biome

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A large-scale community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat, defined by its shared climate and organisms.

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Example: This image shows four major types of biomes—tundra, forest, grassland, and desert—each with its characteristic environment and animal populations.

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Biosphere Noun

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[bahy-oh-sfeer]

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Biosphere

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The global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships, including their interaction with the planet's elements.

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Example: This diagram shows the biosphere is the part of Earth where life exists, combining the air (atmosphere), water (hydrosphere), and land (lithosphere).

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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 of an organism that provides the resources it needs to live, grow, and reproduce.

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Example: The arctic sea ice is the habitat for a polar bear, providing the space, water, and platform needed to hunt for food like seals.

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Demography Noun

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[dih-mog-ruh-fee]

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Demography

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The scientific and statistical study of populations, especially with reference to size, structure, density, distribution, and vital statistics.

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Example: This population pyramid is a tool for demography. It shows the number of males and females in different age groups within a population.

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Population Density Noun

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[pop-yuh-ley-shuhn den-si-tee]

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Population Density

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A measurement of population size per unit of area or volume, indicating how crowded a population is.

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Example: This map shows population density by using different shades of red to represent the number of people living in a specific area (persons per square kilometer).

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Population Dispersion Noun

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[pop-yuh-ley-shuhn dih-spur-zhuhn]

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Population Dispersion

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The spatial pattern of distribution of individuals within a population across a habitat or area.

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Example: This image incorrectly shows a population's range of tolerance to an environmental factor, not the spatial pattern (dispersion) of individuals in an area.