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6143262028biomeregional ecosystem characterized by distinctive climate and soil conditions and a distinctive kind of biological community adapted to those conditions.0
6143263922limiting factorsThe single requirement for growth available in the least supply in comparison to the need of an organism. Originally applied to crops but now often applied to any species.1
6143268383Dissolved Oxygen ContentAeration, atmosphere, and photosynthesis. The amount of oxygen freely available in water and necessary for aquatic life and the oxidation of organic materials.2
6143273187Ecological Efficiency3
6143273186Trophic LevelIn an ecological community, all the organisms that are the same number of food-chain steps from the primary source of energy.4
6143313633Ecological NicheThe general concept is that the niche is a species' "profession"—what it does to make a living. The term is also used to refer to a set of environmental conditions within which a species is able to persist.5
6143484624HabitatWhere an individual, population, or species exists or can exist.6
6143484625Fundamental NicheThe full potential range of the physical, chemical, and biological factors a species can use if there is no competition from other species.7
6143486484Realized NicheParts of the fundamental niche of a species that are actually used by that species8
6143489225Background ExtinctionThe continuous, low-level extinction of species that has occurred throughout much of history.9
6143489226Adaptive RadiationsProcess in which numerous new species evolve to fill vacant and new ecological niches in changed environments, usually after a mass extinction. Typically takes millions of years.10
6143495079BiomagnificationThe tendency for some substances to concentrate with each trophic level. Organisms preferentially store certain chemicals and excrete others.11
6143495080BioaccumulationA process by which chemical substances are ingested and retained by organisms, either from the environment directly or through consumption of food containing the substances.12
6143496883Primary SuccessionThe initial establishment and development of an ecosystem that includes the process of creating soil.13
6143496884Secondary SuccessionThe reestablishment of an ecosystem where there are remnants of a previous biological community.14
6143498787BiopharmingUse of genetically engineered animals to act as bio-factories for producing drugs, vaccines, antibodies, hormones, industrial chemicals such as plastics and detergents, and human body organs15
6143500426UpwellingThe movement of nutrient rich waters from the bottom of the ocean to the surface.16
6143501597Greenhouse GasGases that increase the temperature of the earth's surface.17
6143501598Rain Shadow EffectPrecipitation falls on the windward side of a mountain range, resulting in lush vegetation & a warm, moist climate on one side, but a desert area on the leeward side.18
6143506305Deciduous TreesLoose/drop/shed their leaves19
6143506306Euphotic ZoneThe SHORE of the ocean. The depth of the water in a lake or ocean that is exposed to such intensity of sunlight20
6143507704EstuaryFreshwater and Saltwater mix21
6143507705WatershedAn area of land that forms the drainage of a stream or river.22
6143512461Indicator SpeciesA species whose status provides information on the overall condition of the ecosystem and of other species in that ecosystem. They reflect the quality and changes in environmental conditions as well as aspects of community composition.23
6143512462Keystone Speciesa species that has a large effect on its community or ecosystem so that its removal or addition to the community leads to major changes in the abundances of many or all other species.24
6143514396Carrying CapacityThe maximum abundance of a population or species that can be maintained by a habitat or ecosystem without degrading the ability of that habitat or ecosystem.25
6143515537K Selected Speciesrelatively stable populations and tend to produce relatively low numbers of offspring; however, individual offspring26
6143516732R Selected Speciesa high growth rate, and, typically exploit less-crowded ecological niches, and produce many offspring, each of which has a relatively low probability of surviving to adulthood27
6143516733Metapopulationsa group of populations that are separated by space but consist of the same species.28
6143518787Crude Birth RateThe annual number of live births per 1000 population, without regard to age or sex composition.29
6143518788Crude Death RateThe annual number of deaths per 1000 population, without regard to age or sex composition.30
6143520719Total Fertility RateAverage number of children expected to be born to a woman during her lifetime.31
6143522067Infant Mortality RateThe probability of dying between birth and exactly one year of age, expressed per 1,000 live births.32

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