Competition in Ecosystems MS-LS1-5

Adaptation

A trait that helps an organism survive in its environment. Adaptation. An adaptation is a special feature or behavior that helps a plant or animal live in its surroundings.

Carrying capacity

The largest population that an environment can support. Carrying capacity. Carrying capacity is the maximum number of living things an area can support without harming the environment.

Competition

The struggle between two or more living things for the same limited resource. Competition. In ecosystems, competition happens when animals or plants need the same food, space, or water to survive.

Limiting factor

An environmental factor that limits population growth, for example, a drought. Limiting factor. A limiting factor is something in nature that stops a group of animals or plants from growing too much.

Natural selection

The individuals best suited to survive in an environment. Natural selection. Natural selection is the process where animals and plants best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and have babies.

Predation

An interaction where one organism kills another for food predation. It means one animal hunts and eats another animal.

Resource

Any material that can be used to meet a need. Resource. A resource is something we use to help us do things, like water, air, or wood.

Symbiosis

The close relationship between organisms of different species. Symbiosis. Symbiosis is when two different kinds of living things help each other to survive.