Ecology Unit Vocabulary

Maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can support

environmental factors that restrict population growth

the struggle between organisms to survive in a habitat with limited resources

Behavior by two or more individuals that leads to mutual benefit

Interaction between two organisms of different species in which one organism, called the predator, captures and feeds on parts or all of another organism, called the prey.

Examples of Limiting Factors

Organisms that produce their own food

Also known as Producers - produce their own food

What are the two main forms of energy that power living systems?

incapable of photosynthesis and must obtain their energy by consuming other organisms

organisms that break down wastes and dead organisms and return raw materials to the environment

series of steps in an ecosystem in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten

network of complex interactions formed by the feeding relationships among the various organisms in an ecosystem

Energy passed through trophic levels in a linear series of feeding relationships.