B.12BCDF Environmental Interactions and Effects...food chain A sequence of food energy transfer from one organism to another within an ecological community © 2012 Rice University

B.12BCDF Environmental Interactions and Effects

Picture Vocabulary

© 2012 Rice University - All Rights Reserved

food chain

A sequence of food energy transfer from one organism to another within an

ecological community © 2012 Rice University - All Rights Reserved

food web

A depiction of all of the interrelating food chains that exist within an ecological community


trophic level

An organism’s position on a food chain

sun


ecological pyramid

A depiction of various types of relationships that occur between trophic levels of an

ecological community © 2012 Rice University - All Rights Reserved

biome

A region of Earth with a specific climate and organisms adapted to the particular

environment © 2012 Rice University - All Rights Reserved

tundra

A biome characterized by vast, ��tree-less plains and extremely cold

temperatures © 2012 Rice University - All Rights Reserved

taiga

A biome characterized by its coniferous evergreen forests and cold temperatures


desert

A biome characterized by low vegetation, arid conditions and high

temperatures © 2012 Rice University - All Rights Reserved

rain forest

A biome characterized by high biodiversity, humid climate, and high

annual precipitation © 2012 Rice University - All Rights Reserved

grasslands

A biome characterized by a primary vegetation of grasses, warm to hot

climates, and moderate rainfall © 2012 Rice University - All Rights Reserved

temperate forest

A biome characterized by high biodiversity, four distinct seasons,

and moderate climate © 2012 Rice University - All Rights Reserved

producer

Autotrophic organisms that undergo photosynthesis


consumers

Heterotrophic organisms that must consume other organisms for survival


limiting factor

An environmental factor that limits the growth of a population


carrying capacity

The maximum number of species an ecosystem can support


abiotic factor

All of the non-living factors within an environment


biotic factor

All of the living factors within an environment


biological competition

A condition that occurs when two or more organisms compete for the same resources

within an ecological community © 2012 Rice University - All Rights Reserved

decomposers

Living organisms that break down organic matter, making it

available to primary producers © 2012 Rice University - All Rights Reserved

climax community

A stable ecological community that has reached an equilibrium after having

adapted to its environment


primary succession

The development of an ecological community in a previously uninhabited

location © 2012 Rice University - All Rights Reserved

secondary succession

The development of an ecological community in an area that was once

inhabited but experienced devastation


natural disaster

A force of nature that results in catastrophic consequences


habitat destruction

A loss of habitat (e.g. deforestation) occurring to an organism’s habitat; man-made or naturally

occurring © 2012 Rice University - All Rights Reserved

biodiversity

The total variation of species within a given population


scavenger

An organism that feeds on dead or decaying animal remains


extinction

A species that is no longer alive


primary consumer

An animal that eats the producers


secondary consumer

An animal that eats the primary consumers


tertiary consumer

An animal that eats the secondary consumers


quaternary consumer

An animal that eats the tertiary consumers


adaptation

An alteration in an organism’s characteristics that better enables it to survive in its

environment © 2012 Rice University - All Rights Reserved

resources

Anything that can be used by an organism for survival


energy

The ability to do work © 2012 Rice University - All Rights Reserved

Documents

B.12BCDF Environmental Interactions and Effects...food chain A sequence of food energy transfer from one organism to another within an ecological community © 2012 Rice University