Ecology Terms

energy pyramid

• Shows energy flow in an ecosystem

• Represents the food chain hierarchy

• Illustrates the water cycle

• Depicts the carbon cycle

biotic factor

• Living component of an ecosystem

• Non-living component of an ecosystem

• Chemical substances in the environment

• Physical space occupied by organisms

symbiosis

• Close, long-term interaction between species

• A type of competition between species

• A method of reproduction in plants

• A process of natural selection

parasitism

• One organism benefits, the other is harmed

• Both organisms benefit from the relationship

• Neither organism is affected

• Both organisms are harmed

predation

• One organism hunts another

• Two organisms live together for mutual benefit

• An organism consumes dead organic matter

• An organism competes for resources with another

primary consumer

• Carnivore, eats other consumers

• Herbivore, eats producers

• Omnivore, eats both plants and animals

• Decomposer, breaks down dead matter

food web

• Network of interconnected food chains

• A single linear food chain

• A diagram showing only producers

• A type of food that is web-shaped

secondary consumer

• Herbivore, eats producers

• Carnivore, eats primary consumers

• Omnivore, eats both plants and animals

• Decomposer, breaks down dead matter

limiting factor

• A condition that enhances population growth

• A resource that is abundant in the environment

• Restricts the growth of a population

• A factor that has no effect on population dynamics

predator

• Hunter organism

• Prey organism

• Scavenger organism

• Herbivore organism