Chapter 2 glossary terms

A group of organisms of one species that lives in one space at t he same time

- Many factors affect the population growth. Populations tend to grow exponentially if resources are unlimited. (i.e. food, water, shelter)

• - Usually occurs only under special conditions, such as introduction to a new habitat with unlimited resources, and only for a short time in nature
• - limiting factors restrict exponential growth

• (pop size not algae cells)
• 

- limiting factors restrict exponential growth

• - Size of a population that can be supported indefinitely by the resources and conditions of a given ecosystem
• - Population size is at an equilibrium a carrying capacity
• - When a resource is used at a pace exceeding the ecosystem's carrying capacity, the population size will decrease to a new equilibrium

Species spent most of their time surviving and reproducing. They have jobs in the sense of providing benefits to their ecosystem. An organism's ecological niche includes resources they use, abiotic limiting factors that restrict how it can survive, and biotic relationships that it has with other species.

(ex. regulation of population size, services related to the cycling of matter or energy flow)

An organisms that kills and consumes other organisms.

An organism that is eaten as food by a predator

The symbiotic relationship between two species in which both species benefit from the relationship.

(ex. Coral and algae and bleaching example from that page)

A parasite who's niche is dependant on a close association with a larger host organism.

parasites are usually hurtful to their host.

(ex. brain worm life cycle)

When two or more organisms compete for the same resource in the same location at the same time.

- Use that does not lead to long term depletion of a resource or affect the diversity of the ecosystem from which the resource is obtained.

The period of time that is required for a population to double in size.

(Human doubling time is 60 years)

A measure of the impact of an individual or a population on the environment in terms of energy consumption, land use, and waste production.

A pattern of activity that leads to a decline in the function of an ecosystem

Using Earth's resources, including water and land, at levels that continue forever.

The benefits experience by organisms, including humans, that are provided by sustainable ecosystem.

The change of non-desert land into a desert, which may result from climate change or from unsustainable farming or water use.

A from of tourism that is sensitive to the health of an ecosystem and involves recreational activities provided by sustainable ecosystems.