AP Notes, Outlines, Study Guides, Vocabulary, Practice Exams and more!

AP Biology Ecology Flashcards Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
9677767734WeatherThe state of the atmosphere at a place and time as regards heat, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain, etc.0
9677767735MicroClimateA micro climate is the climate of a small area that is different from the area around it. It may be warmer or colder, wetter or drier, or more or less prone to frosts.1
9677767736MacroClimateThe climate as described by standard meteorological information. Paints a broad picture of the weather as perceived by animals and humans, but has little relevance to pasture plants and pathogens.2
9677767737AbioticPhysical rather than biological; not derived from living organisms.3
9677767738BioticOf, relating to, or resulting from living things, especially in their ecological relations.4
9677767739PopulationA population is a summation of all the organisms of the same group or species, which live in a particular geographical area, and have the capability of interbreeding.5
9677767740Population DensityPopulation density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume6
9677767741Population DispersionDispersion or distribution patterns show the spatial relationship between members of a population within a habitat.7
9677767742Population DemographyDemography is the science of populations. Demographers seek to understand population dynamics by investigating three main demographic processes: birth, migration, and aging8
9677767743ExponentialA quantity that is growing at a rate proportional to size. the larger a population's reproductive base, the greater will be the rate of growth in a specified interval9
9677767744LogisticA small population starts to grow slowly then rapidly and then it levels off when the carrying capacity is reached10
9677767745Density Dependent FactorAbiotic and biotic factors that reduce the odds of an indivual surviving11
9677767746Density Independent factorDeaths or fewer births happen regardless of population size12
9677767747Ecological FootprintAn ecological footprint is a measure of human impact on Earth's ecosystems. It's typically measured in area of wilderness or amount of natural capital consumed each year.13
9677767748Carrying CapacityMaximum number of individuals that a given environment can sustain indefinitely14
9677767749CommunityAn interacting group of various species in a common location15
9677767750PredationA biological interaction where a predator feeds on its prey16
9677767751HerbivoryThe eating of plants, especially ones that are still living.17
9677767752SymbiosisInteraction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both.18
9677767753ParasitismRelationship between two things in which one of them (the parasite) benefits from or lives off of the other19
9677767754MutualismSymbiosis that is beneficial to both organisms involved.20
9677767755commensalismAn association between two organisms in which one benefits and the other derives neither benefit nor harm21
9677767756Keystone SpeciesA plant or animal that plays a unique and crucial role in the way an ecosystem functions22
9677767757BiodiversityThe variety of life. It can be studied on many levels. At the highest level, you can look at all the different species on the entire Earth23
9677767758Primary SuccessionOne of two types of biological and ecological succession of plant life, occurring in an environment in which new substrate devoid of vegetation and other organisms usually lacking soil, such as a lava flow or area left from retreated glacier, is deposited.24
9677767759Secondary SuccessionThe concept of an ecosystem reviving itself after all or a portion has been destroyed. The concept refers primarily to plant life and can be the result of a natural or man-made event.25
9677767760Climax CommunityA historic term that expressed a biological community of plants and animals and fungi which, through the process of ecological succession the development of vegetation in an area over time, had reached a steady state26
9677767761Food ChainA hierarchical series of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food27
9677767762CarnivoreAn animal that feeds on flesh.28
9677767763HerbivoreAn animal that feeds on plants.29
9677767764OmnivoreAn animal or person that eats food of both plant and animal origin.30
9677767765AutotrophAn organism that produces complex organic compounds from simple substances present in its surroundings, generally using energy from light or inorganic chemical reactions.31
9677767766HeterotrophAn organism deriving its nutritional requirements from complex organic substances.32
9677767767Dominant SpeciesThe species that predominates in an ecological community, particularly when they are most numerous or form the bulk of the biomass.33
9677767768H20 CycleDescribes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth34
9677767769BioGeoChemical CycleThe cycling of chemical elements between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere35
9677767770Trophic LevelFor example, the primary producers are photosynthetic plants occupying the first trophic level. A group of organisms feeding on them is called herbivores, which form the second trophic level. Organisms feeding on the herbivores, called carnivores, occupy the next trophic level.36
9677767771Levels of Ecological OrganizationThe population, community, ecosystem, and biosphere. An ecosystem is all the living things in an area interacting with all of the abiotic parts of the environment.37
9677767772Interspecies CompetitionAn interaction in population ecology, whereby members of the same species compete for limited resources.38
9677767773Intraspecies CompetitionWhen members of different species compete for a shared resource.39
9677767774Tropical ForestAn ecosystem type that occurs roughly within the latitudes 28 degrees north or south of the equator (in the equatorial zone between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn). This ecosystem experiences high average temperatures and a significant amount of rainfall.40
9677767775SavannaA type of woodland characterised by a very open spacing between its trees and by intervening areas of grassland. This lack of vegetation is due to the dry conditions present in such biomes, which means the distribution of water among organisms only allows the survival of a few.41
9677767776DesertA large, dry, barren region, usually having sandy or rocky soil and little or no vegetation. Water lost to evaporation and transpiration in a desert exceeds the amount of precipitation42
9677767777Chaparrala plant community of drought-adapted shrubs, usually found in rocky and rapidly drained shallow soils. Dense vegetation consisting of stunted trees or bushes.43
9677767778Temperate GrasslandA terrestrial biome dominated by grasses and forbs. Typically colder winters, hot summers, and overall relatively low rainfall.44
9677767779Temperate Broadleaf ForestIn regions where rainfall is broadly distributed throughout the year, deciduous trees mix with species of evergreens45
9677767780TundraA type of biome where the tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and short growing seasons.46
9677767781Wetlands and EstuariesBodies of water usually found where rivers meet the sea. Estuaries are home to unique plant and animal communities that have adapted to brackish water—a mixture of fresh water draining from the land and salty seawater.47
9677767782LakesAn inland body of water, usually fresh water, formed by glaciers, river drainage, etc., larger than a pool or pond.48
9677767783Streams and RiversA large stream of water flowing in a bed or channel and emptying into the ocean, a sea, a lake, or another stream; a stream larger than a rivulet or brook. Transparent and sparkling rivers, from which it is delightful to drink as they flow.49
9677767784Intertidal ZonesThe area that is above water at low tide and under water at high tide50
9677767785Coral Reefsdiverse underwater ecosystems held together by calcium carbonate structures secreted by corals. Coral reefs are built by colonies of tiny animals found in marine waters that contain few nutrients. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, which in turn consist of polyps that cluster in groups.51
9677767786Oceanic Pelagic ZoneMost of the ocean's waters far from shore, constantly mixed by ocean currents.52
9677767787Marine Benthic ZoneThe ecological region at the lowest level of a body of water such as an ocean or a lake, including the sediment surface and some sub-surface layers. Organisms living in this zone are called benthos53
9677767788Fundamental NicheThe full range of environmental conditions (biological and physical) under which an organism can exist.54
9677767789Realized NicheThe ecological role that an organism plays when constrained by the presence of other competing species in its environment55

Need Help?

We hope your visit has been a productive one. If you're having any problems, or would like to give some feedback, we'd love to hear from you.

For general help, questions, and suggestions, try our dedicated support forums.

If you need to contact the Course-Notes.Org web experience team, please use our contact form.

Need Notes?

While we strive to provide the most comprehensive notes for as many high school textbooks as possible, there are certainly going to be some that we miss. Drop us a note and let us know which textbooks you need. Be sure to include which edition of the textbook you are using! If we see enough demand, we'll do whatever we can to get those notes up on the site for you!