introduction
This branch of biology studies how organisms interact with each other and their environment.
what is ecology
A relationship where both organisms benefit
what is mutualism
this type of succession beings on bare rock after volcanic eruption or glaciers melt
this cycle involves evaporation, condensation, and precipitation
what is the water cycle
the number of individuals per unit area is called this
what is population density
this term describes all living and nonliving things interacting in one area
What is an ecosystem
one organism benefits while the other is harmed
what is parasitism
the first organisms to grow during succession, such as lichens and moss.
what are pioneer species
plants take in this gas during phtotosynthesis as part of its cycle
what is carbon dioxide
a growth pattern shaped like a J curve describes this type of growth
what is exponential growth
the role or "job" an organism has in its environment is called this
what is a niche
one benefits while the other is neither helper nor harmed
what is commensalism
this type of succession occurs after disturbances like fires or floods where soil remains
what is secondary successions
bacteria convert nitrogen gas into usable forms in this process
what is nitrogen fixation
the maximum population an environment can support is called this
what is carrying capacity
organisms of the same species living in the same area form this
what is a population
when organisms compete for food water or space this interaction occurs
what is competition
the stable mature community that forms at the end of succession
what is a climax community
animals release this element back into the carbon cycle through respiratinon
what is carbon
factors like disease, competition, and predators that controls population size are called these
what are limiting factors
Multiple populations living together in one place makes up this ecological level
what is a community
a predator hunting and eating prey describes this relationship
what is predation
secondary succession happens faster than primary succession mainly because of this factor
what is existing soil
decomposers return nutrients to the soil during this stage of cycles
what is decomposition
birth rate minus death rate determines this popluation measure.
what is population growth rate