Ecological Terminology
Ecological Terminology
Biosphere
- The biosphere encompasses all parts of the Earth inhabited by living organisms.
- Consists of multiple ecosystems like forests, oceans, grasslands, and others.
Ecosystem
- An ecosystem includes all the plants, animals, and microorganisms in an area functioning together with all of the non-living physical factors of the environment.
- Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems.
Populations and Communities
- A population is all the organisms of the same group or species, which live in a particular geographical area, and have the capability of interbreeding.
- A community is a group of interacting populations of different species.
Habitat and Niche
- The habitat is a certain place where a particular species lives.
- A niche refers to how an organism fits into its environment. It includes its interactions with the surrounding physical environment and with other species it interacts with.
Pioneer and Climax Communities
- Pioneer communities are the first species to colonise a barren or disturbed habitat, often composed of hardy species capable of surviving in harsh conditions.
- Climax communities are the final stage of succession, where a stable and self-sustaining community is formed.
Succession
- Succession is a slow, orderly progression of changes in community structures over time.
- Primary succession starts with a previously unoccupied habitat whilst secondary succession occurs in a habitat following a disturbance or change.
Biodiversity
- Biodiversity refers to the variety of life at all levels of organisation ranging from genes to ecosystems.
- Greater biodiversity often means greater habitat stability and resilience to change or disaster.
Homeostasis
- Homeostasis is how a biological system maintains balance and stability whilst undergoing changes.
- It is important in maintaining organism and ecosystem health.
Trophic levels and energy flow
- Trophic levels refer to the hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, comprising of producers, primary consumers, and higher level consumers.
- Energy flow in the ecosystem occurs when one organism eats another. The food energy that primary producers make is distributed to other organisms through the food chain.