Ecology Chapter: Organisms and Habitats

The place where an organism naturally lives.

An ecosystem includes both living organisms and their non-living surroundings.

A large area of Earth with a similar climate, plants, and animals.

A factor that limits the growth and survival of a population.

This law states that a plant's growth is limited by the nutrient that is present in the smallest amount.

A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area.

A relationship between two organisms where one benefits and the other is neither harmed nor benefitted.

The multidimensional space defined by all the environmental factors that influence a species' survival and reproduction.

The specific portion of a habitat that a species occupies, characterized by its physical and biological features.

The role a species plays in its ecosystem based on its food sources and how it interacts with other organisms.

The principle that two species cannot occupy the same niche indefinitely. One species will outcompete the other, leading to the elimination or decline of one species.

The process by which two species become more distinct in their traits when they live in the same area, reducing competition for resources.

Species living in different geographic regions.

Species living in the same geographic area, potentially sharing the same habitat.

The difference in traits between closely related species that arises when they live in sympatry, potentially due to competition.

The similarity in traits between closely related species that arises when they live in allopatry, potentially due to similar environmental pressures.

The movement of fine mineral particles out of the upper layer of soil.

The deposition of fine mineral particles in the lower soil layer.

The process of decomposing organic matter by fungi, bacteria, earthworms, and insects into semi-soluble chemical substances.

A set of rules for designing and conducting ecological research to ensure the validity, reliability, and efficiency of the study.

A question that is impossible to answer with current technology or resources.

Ecological data that is collected at the wrong time, is not repeated, or is not relevant to the research question.

The importance of collecting data accurately and repeatedly to ensure its validity and reliability.

The process of coding ecological data and entering it into a computer for analysis.

The concept that poor quality data will lead to inaccurate results and conclusions.

Statistical significance refers to the probability of observing a result if there is no true effect, while biological significance refers to the meaningfulness of the finding in relation to a particular biological system.

Larger soil organisms like earthworms, beetles, and termites break down organic matter and move it within soil layers.

Organic matter binds with mineral particles, making it difficult to see the individual components in soil.

Humus is broken-down organic matter that improves soil properties.

Humus helps the soil hold onto moisture.

Humus reduces the loss of soluble nutrients from the soil.

Humus improves the structure of the soil, making it better for plant growth.

The complete removal of substances from the soil through chemical processes.

Soil texture refers to the size and distribution of mineral particles in the soil.

Clay particles are crucial for soil because they have a large surface area making them reactive, can attract nutrients, and are flexible

The measure of acidity or alkalinity in the soil, affecting nutrient availability.

Soil organisms that spend their entire life cycle in the soil and cannot survive outside of it.

Organisms that spend a part of their life cycle in the soil, typically as larvae, and may return to the soil later for activities like laying eggs.

Organisms that live in the soil for a significant part of their life cycle (one or more developmental stages) and emerge as adults, often with larval and pupal stages being crucial in the soil.

The reduction in body size, appendages, and pigmentation, as well as the presence of chemo and hygroreceptors across the body are adaptations that help microarthropods survive in the soil.

Collembolans are an important group of soil microarthropods because of their species diversity, abundance, and value as indicators of soil health.