Ecology
Define ecology
study of the interactions among organisms and with their environment
Define biodiversity
the variety of life on Earth at all its levels, encompassing the diversity of genes, species, and ecosystems
Define competition
an interaction between organisms or species where they vie for the same limited resources, such as food, water, space, or mates
Define niche and give an example
an organism's specific role or function within its ecosystem
Define invasive species
a non-native organism (like a plant, animal, or microbe) that spreads quickly and causes harm to the environment, economy, or human health
List the five levels of ecological organization (smallest to largest).
organism, population, community, ecosystem, and biosphere
Explain how biodiversity affects the health of an ecosystem
enhancing stability and resilience, ensuring a greater variety of species can adapt to environmental changes
Explain the two types of competition and give an example of each
Interspecific and Intraspecific
Define herbivore, carnivore, and omnivore and give examples
Herbivores eat only plants, like cows and rabbits. Carnivores eat only meat, such as lions and tigers. Omnivores eat both plants and meat, with examples including bears and humans
Explain how invasive species affect a food web
outcompeting native species for resources, preying on native species, and altering the ecosystem's structure, which can lead to a decline in native populations and biodiversity
Explain what a population is
group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area
List the three types of biodiversity
genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity
Define competitive exclusion
What is a detritivore
A detritivore is an organism that consumes dead organic matter, such as decaying plants, animals, and waste products
List three ways humans impact biodiversity
habitat destruction, overexploitation, and pollution
Give four examples of abiotic factors in a Savanna.
temperature, rainfall, soil, and sunlight
Explain how natural selection can increase biodiversity
favoring traits that enhance survival and reproduction in different environments, which can lead to new species (speciation) over time
Define symbiosis
a close, prolonged association between two or more different biological species
Explain a predator/prey relationship and how it impacts an ecosystem.
an interaction where one animal (the predator) hunts and kills another (the prey) for food
Predict what would happen if a species was removed from a food web
Predict what would happen if a species was removed from a food web
Explain how abiotic factors can create biodiversity in an ecosystem.
providing a range of habitats and resources that support different species and drive adaptation
List five benefits biodiversity gives to an ecosystem
1. Stability and resilience, 2. Provision of clean air and water, 3. Regulation of climate, 4. Nutrient cycling and waste decomposition, and 5. Support for food webs and human food security
Name and describe the three types of symbiosis and give examples
Mutualism, Commensalism and Parasitism
List three defenses prey can use to protect themselves
Camouflage, mimicry and coloration
Predict what would happen if an invasive plant species took over an area
Predict what would happen if an invasive plant species took over an area