What
Biosphere
Consists of all life on Earth and all parts of the Earth in which life exists, including land, water, and the atmosphere.
a species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the ecosystem would change drastically.
keystone species
invasive species
A species, often introduced by humans, that takes hold outside its native range.
bioaccumulation
An increased concentration of a chemical within an organism over time
soil degradation
The loss of some or all of a soil's ability to support plant growth
Ecology
the branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.
habitat degradation
Damage done to a habitat that results in the loss of resources that organisms need to survive, like food, water, and shelter
the system of growing a different crop in a field each year to preserve the fertility of the soil
crop rotation
trophic level
Each step in a food chain or food web
aquaculture
The cultivation or farming of seafood under controlled conditions
Ecosystem
A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
habitat fragmentation
Breakup of a habitat into smaller pieces, usually as a result of human activities.
1) renewable resource
1) nonrenewable resource
2) A natural resource that can be replaced at the same rate at which the resource is consumed
2) a natural resource that is used up faster than it can be replaced by natural processes
primary succession
An ecological succession that begins in an area where no biotic community previously existed, usually no soil present.
-300
1) abiotic factors
1) biotic factors
2) nonliving parts of an ecosystem
2) living parts of an ecosystem
capable of being readily decomposed into harmless substances by microorganisms
biodegradable
Biomagnification
The increase in chemical concentration in animal tissues as the chemical moves up the food chain
secondary succession
An ecological succession that occurs after a major disturbance, such as a wildfire, flood, or storm. The soil is usually intact.
-400
-400
Biodiversity
the variety of life, or number of species, present within an ecosystem
ecological footprint
the impact of a person or community on the environment, expressed as the amount of land required to sustain their use of natural resources.
1) producer
1) consumer
1) Decomposer
2) An organism that makes its own food
2) An organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms
2) An organism that breaks down wastes and dead organisms; AKA detritivores
resilience
the rate at which an ecosystem returns to its original state after a disturbance
-500
-500