Ecology Vocabulary

1
Ecology Vocabulary
2

• Adaptation
• Definition A physical or behavioral change that
  improves a species ability to succeed in its
  environment.
• Artificial Selection
• Definition Human intervention in breeding
  animals or plants with desired characteristics

3

• Ecosystem
• Definition A community of interrelated plants,
  animals, and abiotic factors
• Evolution
• Definition Process by which an organism changes
  over time
• Natural selection
• Definition The natural process by which
  organisms better suited for their environment
  survive to pass those qualities on to successive
  generations.

4

• Abiotic
• Definition Describes nonliving factors that
  help living things survive.
• Adaptive radiation
• Definition Diversification from a common
  ancestor into different forms.
• Biome
• Definition Linked ecosystems that form a large
  regional or global living community
• Food chain
• Definition The way food energy is transferred
  from one organism to another

5

• Niche
• Definition A specific area or function within a
  habitat
• Photosynthesis
• Definition The chemical process by which plants
  use the Suns energy to convert water and carbon
  dioxide into sugar.