Ecosystems: Important Terms and Definitions

The level of information provided here is for Grade 7 students.

TermsDefinition
EnvironmentThe surroundings of an organism that affect its life and development are called the environment. It consists of BIOTIC and ABIOTIC factors.
EcosystemAll the organisms living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving, physical components of the environment with which they interact.
BioticThe living components of an ecosystem. Examples: Animals, plants, fungi, microbes, etc.
AbioticThe non-living components of an ecosystem. Examples: Wind, Sun, Water, etc.
Organism or IndividualA single living thing.
PopulationA group of organisms of the same species in an ecosystem.
CommunityA group of different populations interacting in an ecosystem.
EcosystemAll the organisms living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving, physical components of the environment with which they interact.
BiomeA region of land with characteristic climate, soil and organisms.
WeatherDescribes the conditions of the atmosphere in a certain area for a short period of time. Weather changes constantly.
ClimateDescribes the average weather that an area has over a long period of time. Climate does not generally change (can change over the years).
BiosphereThe areas on and around Earth that can sustain life.
AtmosphereThe air, in the biosphere, that surrounds Earth.
LithosphereThe solid mineral material, in the biosphere, on Earth.
HydrosphereThe water, in the biosphere, on Earth.
NicheThe role of an organism in an ecosystem.
ProducerPlants that use energy from the sun to make nutrients they need to survive.
ConsumerOrganisms that eat food are made by producers. (Primary Consumer eats plants, Secondary Consumer eats meat)
HerbivoreAn animal that eats only plant material.
CarnivoreAn animal that eats only other animals.
OmnivoreAn animal that eats other animals and plant material.
PredatorAn organism that catches and eats other organisms of a different species.
PreyAn organism that is caught and eaten by another organism of a different species.
ScavengerAn organism that eats dead or decaying plant or animal matter.
DecomposerOrganisms that break down the cells of dead or waste materials and absorb their nutrients.
Food ChainA sequence of feeding relationships among living organisms, as they pass on food energy.
Energy FlowThe movement of energy, which originally comes from the sun, from one organism to another.
Food WebThe network of feeding relationships among organisms.
SymbiosisAn interaction between two organisms of different species living in close proximity that lasts over time.
ParasitismA symbiotic relationship in which one of the partners is harmed and the other benefits.
MutualismA symbiotic relationship in which both partners benefit.
CommensalismA symbiotic relationship in which one partner benefits and the other is indifferent.
Energy PyramidA pyramid showing the number of organisms at each level of a food chain.
SuccessionThe process by which new species gradually replace old species in an ecosystem.
Secondary SuccessionWhen succession occurs with the already existing soil.
SustainabilityThe ability to sustain something – to keep it healthy and continue in the same manner.