Terms of ECOLOGY
Biosphere: The
sum of all living things taken in conjunction with their environment. In
essence, where life occurs, from the upper reaches of the atmosphere to the top
few meters of soil, to the bottoms of the oceans. We divide the earth into
atmosphere (air), lithosphere (earth), hydrosphere (water), and biosphere
(life).
Ecosystem: The
relationships of a smaller groups of organisms with each other and their
environment. Scientists often speak of the interrelatedness of living things.
Since, according to Darwin's theory, organisms adapt to their environment, they
must also adapt to other organisms in that environment. We can discuss the flow
of energy through an ecosystem from photosynthetic autotrophs to herbivores to
carnivores.
Community: The
relationships between groups of different species. For example, the desert
communities consist of rabbits, coyotes, snakes, birds, mice and such plants as Sahuaro cactus (Carnegia gigantea), Ocotillo, creosote bush, etc. Community
structure can be disturbed by such things as fire, human activity, and
over-population.
Species: Groups
of similar individuals who tend to mate and produce viable, fertile offspring.
We often find species described not by their reproduction (a biological
species) but rather by their form (anatomical or form species).
Populations:
Groups of similar individuals who tend to mate with each other in a limited
geographic area. This can be as simple as a field of flowers, which is
separated from another field by a hill or other area where none of these
flowers occur.
USEFUL LINKS
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