A type of organism that can produce its own food using sunlight or chemical energy.

The organisms in an ecosystem that break down dead or decaying organic material, returning nutrients to the soil.

A group of interconnected food chains that illustrate how energy and nutrients flow through an ecosystem.

The gradual process of change and replacement in the species structure of an ecological community over time.

A gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming.

An organism that primarily eats plants and plant-based materials.

A type of organism that relies on consuming other organisms for energy, as it cannot produce its own food.

The process whereby harmful substances increase in concentration as they move up the food chain.

The initial environment that allows a species to grow and thrive, such as a forest or ocean.

The base level of a food chain that produces energy through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

The transfer and cycling of organic and inorganic materials back into the production of living matter.

An increase in population where the number of individuals exceeds the carrying capacity of the environment.

The introduction of non-native species to a new habitat, often disrupting local ecosystems.

The natural resources formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals, used as a source of energy.

A representation of the energy available at different levels of a food chain, often illustrated in the shape of a pyramid.

The gradual increase in Earth's average temperature due to human activities and greenhouse gas emissions.

The study and management of the interactions between living organisms and their environment, often addressing human impacts on the ecosystem.

A type of organism that consumes other organisms for energy, specifically those that eat plants or other animals.

The sequence of consumption in an ecosystem that demonstrates how energy and nutrients flow between organisms.