Flashcards for:
Fundamental Concepts in Ecology

Understanding ecological relationships and predicting the effects of changes enables better management and conservation of environments.

Biotic factors are living components of the environment like food availability and predators. Abiotic factors are non-living components such as temperature and soil pH.

An increase in mouse population may lead to less grass for other herbivores like rabbits and grasshoppers. It can also potentially increase the hawk population due to more food (mice) but might decrease rabbit numbers.

Ecology is the study of how living organisms interact with each other and their environment.

Habitat is the physical place where an organism lives. For example, habitats for mice can include fields, forests, or basements.

Interdependence is the idea that all species depend on others in some form, as illustrated by food webs. Changes in one species' population can affect many others in the ecosystem.

Changes in one part of the ecosystem can influence other parts. For instance, a decrease in mouse population may lead to less food for predators and diminished soil quality due to reduced burrowing.

A community consists of all populations of different species living together in one habitat. For example, a community in a field may include mice, owls, and plants.

The next session will delve into the exploration of biotic and abiotic factors.

Organisms compete for limited resources like space, food, water, and mates. This competition can occur within a species or between different species.