Unit 1: The Living World: Ecosystems

Ecosystem

Interactions between biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components in a specific area.

Biotic

Living components of an ecosystem.

Abiotic

Non-living components of an ecosystem.

Symbiosis

A close, long-term interaction between two different species.

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship where both species benefit.

Commensalism

A symbiotic relationship where one species benefits and the other is unaffected.

Parasitism

A symbiotic relationship where one species benefits at the expense of the other.

Competitive Exclusion Principle

The concept that species that are less efficient in resource use will eventually be excluded from a habitat.

Resource Partitioning

Dividing resources to coexist and avoid direct competition.

Temporal resource partitioning

Using resources at different times to avoid competition.

Spatial resource partitioning

Using different areas of a shared habitat.

Morphological resource partitioning

Evolving different body features to utilize different parts of a resource.

Biomes

Large geographic regions defined by dominant plant growth forms and climate.

Tropical Rainforest

Biome near the equator with warm, wet climate and highest biodiversity.

Temperate Seasonal Forest

Biome with warm summers and cold winters, characterized by deciduous trees.

Taiga

Boreal forest biome characterized by coniferous trees and cold climate.

Temperate Grassland

Biome with hot summers, cold winters, and nutrient-rich soil, ideal for agriculture.

Tundra

Biome with extremely cold climate, low precipitation, and permafrost.

Desert

Biome characterized by extreme temperature fluctuations and low precipitation.

Climatograms

Charts displaying monthly temperature and precipitation to analyze plant growth.

Freshwater Biomes

Aquatic biomes categorized by salinity, flow, and depth.

Streams and Rivers

Lotic freshwater biomes with flowing water and high oxygen levels.

Lakes and Ponds

Lentic freshwater biomes with distinct zones and standing water.

Coral Reefs

Biodiverse marine biomes found in warm, shallow waters, threatened by ocean acidification.

Photic Zone

Top layer of the open ocean where sunlight allows for photosynthesis.

Estuaries

Areas where freshwater rivers mix with saltwater from oceans, providing vital ecological services.

Nutrients Limiting Productivity

In aquatic systems, light and nutrients (N and P) limit productivity.

Weather vs. Climate

Weather is short-term conditions; climate is the long-term average of weather patterns.