Ecology and Ecosystems


Chapter Objectives

At the end of this unit students will be able to
1. Distinguish between ecosystems and communities.
2. Sequence the process of succession in a terrestrial or aquatic ecosystem.
3. Describe the energy relationships in food chains and food webs.
4. Describe the basic components of biogeochemical cycles and provide examples of how the water cycle, the carbon cycle, the phosphorus cycle, and the nitrogen cycle use biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem.
5. Describe and evaluate examples of predator-prey relationships, including the role of host defenses.
6. Describe and evaluate examples of various types of symbiotic relationships including mutualism and commensalisms.
7. Describe the role of competition in shaping the nature of ecosystems and communities.
8. Recognize the role of climate, latitude, and elevation in determining the nature of a biological community.
9. Compare major terrestrial and aquatic biological communities (biomes), including tropical rain forests.
10. Discuss three environmental pollution issues and methods for solving environmental problems.

Chapter Terms

Ecosystems Energy Flow
ecology
habitat
community
ecosystem
abiotic factor
biotic factor
biodiversity
pioneer species
succession
primary productivity
producer
consumer
trophic level
food chain
food web
herbivore
carnivore
omnivore
detritivore
decomposer
energy pyramid
biomass
Cycling of Materials Biomass
biogeochemical cycle
transpiration
nitration fixation

climate
biome
desert

Community Interactions Biomes
coevolution
predation
parasitism
symbiosis
mutualism
commensalism
competition
niche
competitive exclusion
climate
biome
desert
Environmental Concerns
acid rain
global warming
greenhouse effect

Animated Graphics Courtesy of

Jo's World