Ecology Basics

Study Notes

Ecology is the scientific study of the relationships between living organisms (biotic factors) and their environment (abiotic factors)
It examines the interactions between organisms, their physical environment, and the impact of these interactions on the environment and the organisms themselves

Organism: individual living thing, such as a plant or animal
Population: group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area
Community: group of different species living in a specific area
Ecosystem: community of organisms and their physical environment
Biosphere: all ecosystems on Earth

Habitat: natural environment in which an organism lives
Niche: specific role or position of an organism in its environment
Adaptation: special feature or behavior that helps an organism survive and thrive in its environment
Symbiosis: close and often long-term relationship between different species
- Mutualism: both species benefit
- Commensalism: one species benefits, the other is not affected
- Parasitism: one species benefits, the other is harmed

Energy flow: movement of energy from one organism to another through food webs
Food chain: series of organisms that eat other organisms, with each level being consumed by the next
Food web: complex network of food chains
Nutrient cycles: movement of nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen through ecosystems
- Producers: organisms that convert sunlight into energy (e.g., plants)
- Consumers: organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms
- Decomposers: organisms that break down dead organic matter

Succession: process of change in the species composition of a community over time
Primary succession: occurs in areas where no previous community existed
Secondary succession: occurs in areas where a community has been disturbed or destroyed
Disturbance: event that disrupts the balance of an ecosystem, such as a fire or flood

Pollution: introduction of harmful substances into the environment
Habitat destruction: human activities that damage or destroy natural habitats
Climate change: global warming and associated changes in precipitation patterns and weather events
Conservation: efforts to preserve and protect ecosystems and their components

Ecology is the scientific study of relationships between living organisms and their environment.
It examines interactions between organisms, their physical environment, and the impact of these interactions.

An organism is an individual living thing, such as a plant or animal.
A population is a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area.
A community is a group of different species living in a specific area.
An ecosystem is a community of organisms and their physical environment.
The biosphere includes all ecosystems on Earth.

Habitat is the natural environment in which an organism lives.
A niche is the specific role or position of an organism in its environment.
An adaptation is a special feature or behavior that helps an organism survive and thrive in its environment.
Symbiosis is a close and often long-term relationship between different species, including:
- Mutualism: both species benefit.
- Commensalism: one species benefits, the other is not affected.
- Parasitism: one species benefits, the other is harmed.

Energy flow is the movement of energy from one organism to another through food webs.
A food chain is a series of organisms that eat other organisms, with each level being consumed by the next.
A food web is a complex network of food chains.
Nutrient cycles involve the movement of nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen through ecosystems.
Producers are organisms that convert sunlight into energy (e.g., plants).
Consumers are organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms.
Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic matter.

Succession is the process of change in the species composition of a community over time.
Primary succession occurs in areas where no previous community existed.
Secondary succession occurs in areas where a community has been disturbed or destroyed.
A disturbance is an event that disrupts the balance of an ecosystem, such as a fire or flood.

Pollution is the introduction of harmful substances into the environment.
Habitat destruction refers to human activities that damage or destroy natural habitats.
Climate change includes global warming and associated changes in precipitation patterns and weather events.
Conservation refers to efforts to preserve and protect ecosystems and their components.