Chapter 13: Principles of Ecology

Organisms like fungus and bacteria that break down organic matter into simpler compounds

• decomposers
• detritivores
• scavengers
• carnivores

Living factor in an ecosystem (plants, animals).

• abiotic
• energy
• biotic
• matter

All the living communities in an area PLUS the abiotic factors.

• population
• ecosystem
• biome
• habitat

Organism that eats only plants.

• herbivore
• omnivore
• carnivore
• detritivore

Regional type of ecosystem characterized by a particular climate and plant community.

• ecosystem
• biome
• habitat
• community

Model that shows the movement of energy and complex feeding relationships in an ecosystem.

• food chain

• food web

• energy pyramid

• trophic level

Organism that has an unusually large effect on its ecosystem.

• top predator

• tertiary consumer

• producer

• keystone species

Organism that obtains it�s energy and by consuming other organisms.

• autotroph
• producer
• fungus
• heterotroph

Which of the following provide most of the energy in ecosystems?

• keystone species

• carnivores

• producers

• generalists

A food chain contains oak trees (producer), mice (herbivore), black rat snakes (carnivore), and bald eagles (carnivore). How many trophic levels does this food chain have?

• four

• three

• two

• one