introduction to populations

• what is meant by Ecology


  this is a study of living organisms within a habitat and their interactions with both biotic and abiotic factors
• what is meant by an ecosystem


  this is a community of interdependent species interacting with the abiotic components of their habitat
• what is meant by habitat


  a place in which an organism lives
• what is meant by a population


  this is a group of interbreeding organisms of the same species occupying a particular habitat
• what is meant by community


  interacting populations of two or more species within a particular habitat
• what is meant by environmental resistance


  environmental factors that slow down population growth
• what is meant by biotic factors


  living factors within an environment that effects ecosystems
• what is meant by abiotic factors


  non-living of environmental factors that effects ecosystems
• list examples of biotic factors


  pathogens and predators
• list examples of abiotic factors


  air temperature and oxygen availability
• what is meant by a niche


  the specific role and position a species plays within a particular ecosystem
• what is meant by carrying capacity


  this is the maximum number of individuals a population can sustain within a particular environment