Ecology Overview and Key Concepts

Ecology is the branch of biology that studies the interactions between organisms and their environment.

Individual: Single organism.
Population: Group of individuals of the same species in a specific area.
Community: Different populations that live together in a defined area.
Ecosystem: Community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment.
Biome: Large areas characterized by specific climate and ecosystems (e.g., tundra, rainforest).
Biosphere: The global sum of all ecosystems, where life exists.

Habitat: The natural environment where an organism lives.
Niche: The role or function of an organism within its habitat.
Biotic Factors: Living components of an ecosystem (e.g., plants, animals, microbes).
Abiotic Factors: Non-living physical and chemical components (e.g., sunlight, temperature, soil).

Predation: One species (predator) hunts another (prey).
Competition: Species compete for the same resources (food, habitat).
Symbiosis: Close and long-term interactions between species.
- Mutualism: Both species benefit (e.g., bees and flowers).
- Commensalism: One species benefits, the other is unaffected (e.g., barnacles on whales).
- Parasitism: One species benefits at the expense of another (e.g., ticks on mammals).

Food Chains: Linear sequences showing how energy and nutrients flow from producers to consumers.
Food Webs: Complex networks of interconnected food chains.
Producers: Organisms (usually plants) that produce their own energy through photosynthesis.
Consumers: Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms.
- Primary Consumers: Herbivores (eat producers).
- Secondary Consumers: Carnivores (eat herbivores).
- Tertiary Consumers: Top predators (eat other carnivores).

Primary Succession: Development of an ecosystem from barren land (e.g., after a volcanic eruption).
Secondary Succession: Re-establishment of a disturbed ecosystem (e.g., after a fire).
Pioneer Species: First species to colonize barren areas, helping to create soil.

Refers to the variety of life in a particular ecosystem.
High biodiversity contributes to ecosystem resilience and stability.
Threats to biodiversity include habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and invasive species.

Study of preserving biological diversity and ecosystems.
Strategies include habitat protection, restoration ecology, and sustainable practices.

Individual: Single organism
Population: Same species group in a specific area
Community: Different populations living together
Ecosystem: Community interacting with environment
Biome: Areas with similar climate and ecosystems, like tundras or rainforests
Biosphere: All ecosystems globally where life exists

Habitat: Organism's natural living space
Niche: Organism's role or function in its habitat
Biotic Factors: Living parts of an ecosystem, like plants, animals, and microbes
Abiotic Factors: Non-living parts of an ecosystem, like sunlight, temperature, and soil

Predation: One species hunts another
Competition: Species fight for resources like food and territory
Symbiosis: Close, long-term interactions between species
- Mutualism: Both species benefit, like bees and flowers
- Commensalism: One species benefits, the other is unaffected, like barnacles on whales
- Parasitism: One species benefits while harming the other, like ticks on mammals

Food Chains: Show linear energy and nutrient flow from producers to consumers
Food Webs: Interconnected networks of food chains
Producers: Make their own energy through photosynthesis, often plants
Consumers: Get energy from consuming other organisms
- Primary Consumers: Herbivores that eat producers.
- Secondary Consumers: Carnivores that eat herbivores.
- Tertiary Consumers: Top predators that eat other carnivores.

Primary Succession: Ecosystem development from barren land, like after volcanic eruptions
Secondary Succession: Ecosystem re-establishment after disturbance, like after a fire
Pioneer Species: The first species to colonize barren areas, helping to create soil

Variety of life in an ecosystem.
High biodiversity means a more resilient and stable ecosystem.
Threats include habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and invasive species.