Ecosystems and Communities

Science

Carnivore explained in an easy to understand way.

A relationship where one species benefits but the other is neither helped nor harmed

Commensalism

A relationship where one species benefits but the other is neither helped nor harmed. Commensalism. In commensalism, one organism benefits while the other is not affected in any way.

populations that live in the same habitat

Community explained in an easy to understand way.

The struggle between two or more living things for the same limited resource

Competition

The struggle between two or more living things for the same limited resource. Competition. In Science, competition is when animals or plants try to get the same food, space, or other resources they all need to survive.

unlike a plant, cannot make its own food, instead it eats other living things

Consumer explained in an easy to understand way.

an organism that breaks down dead organisms and waste, like fungi or bacteria

Decomposer explained in an easy to understand way.

the diagram of energy loss through a food chain

Energy pyramid explained in an easy to understand way.

the food energy transfer between organisms in an ecosystem

Food chain explained in an easy to understand way.

a model of overlapping food chains in an ecosystem

Food web explained in an easy to understand way.

Herbivore explained in an easy to understand way.

A symbiotic relationship between two species in which both benefit

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship between two species in which both benefit. Mutualism. Mutualism is when two different species help each other out and both gain benefits from their interaction.

the role an animal or plant plays in its habitat

Niche explained in an easy to understand way.

Omnivore explained in an easy to understand way.

A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is harmed

Parasitism

A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is harmed. Parasitism. In parasitism, the parasite lives on or in a host organism, gaining nutrients at the host's expense.

all the organisms of the same species living in the same area

Population explained in an easy to understand way.

The number of individuals per unit of area

Population density

The number of individuals per unit of area. Population density. Population density measures how crowded or spread out individuals are in a specific area.

an animal that hunts and eats other animals

Predator explained in an easy to understand way.

an animal hunted and eaten by a predator

Prey explained in an easy to understand way.

organism that can make its own food, like all plants

Producer explained in an easy to understand way.

The gradual changes to communities in an ecosystem

Succession

The gradual changes to communities in an ecosystem. Succession. Succession is the process by which ecosystems develop and change over time, often starting from bare land to a mature, stable community.

The close relationship between organisms of different species

Symbiosis

The close relationship between organisms of different species. Symbiosis. Symbiosis is when two different species live together and help each other survive.