Ecology Basics

Study Notes

Individuals: Single organisms, e.g., a tree
Populations: Groups of individuals of the same species, e.g., a group of trees
Communities: Groups of different species living in the same area, e.g., a forest ecosystem
Ecosystems: Communities and their physical environment, e.g., a forest and its soil, water, and air
Biomes: Large regions of the Earth with similar climate, vegetation, and animal life, e.g., desert, rainforest, or tundra
Biosphere: The entire region of the Earth where life exists, encompassing all ecosystems

Habitat: The natural environment in which an organism lives
Niche: The specific role and position of an organism within its environment
Population Dynamics: The study of changes in population size and growth over time
Species Interactions: The relationships between different species, e.g., predation, competition, symbiosis

Energy Flow: Energy from the sun is transferred through food chains and webs
Nutrient Cycling: Essential nutrients are recycled through ecosystems
Carrying Capacity: The maximum number of individuals an ecosystem can support
Biodiversity: The variety of species, ecosystems, and genes within an ecosystem

Conservation Biology: The application of ecological principles to preserve and protect ecosystems
Ecological Restoration: The process of restoring degraded or damaged ecosystems
Sustainable Development: The use of ecological principles to guide human development and minimize environmental impact