The Living World

• Ecosystem


  Includes all biotic and abiotic parts in an area
• Producer


  Organism using sunlight to produce food
• Consumer


  Organism getting energy by eating others
• Decomposer


  Organism breaking down dead material for energy
• Food Chain


  Shows the sequence of who eats whom
• Food Web


  Interconnected food chains in an ecosystem
• Nutrient Cycling


  Transfer of nutrients from soil to plants to consumers
• Climate


  Determines the type of ecosystem in an area
• Tundra


  Cold biome with few trees and permafrost
• Temperate Deciduous Forest


  Forest with distinct seasons and deciduous trees
• Tropical Rainforest


  Hot, wet forest around the equator with lush vegetation
• Hot Desert


  Dry, hot biome with sparse vegetation like cacti
• Global Ecosystem Distribution


  Varies due to climate, shown on a world map
• Permafrost


  Permanently frozen ground in tundra regions
• Ecosystem Impact


  Changes in one part affect other ecosystem components
• Hedgerow Ecosystem


  Example of a small-scale ecosystem with plants and animals
• Epiphytes


  Plants growing on other plants, taking nutrients from the air
• Rainforest Animals


  Diverse species like gorillas, jaguars, and tree frogs
• Soil Fertility


  High in rainforests due to decayed leaf fall
• Tropical Rainforest Climate


  Consistently hot and wet with high rainfall
• Tropical Rainforest People


  Inhabitants adapted to the forest environment over generations
• Biodiversity


  Variety of organisms in an area; high in rainforests
• Interdependent Ecosystems


  All parts (climate, water, plants, animals) reliant on each other
• Symbiotic Relationships


  Mutually beneficial interactions between species
• Agouti


  Rodent cracking Brazil nut pods, aiding tree reproduction
• Deforestation


  Clearing trees leading to ecosystem imbalances and climate change
• Biodiversity Loss


  Result of deforestation, threatening many species' survival
• Extinction


  Complete disappearance of a species
• Biodiversity Stability


  Rainforests' consistency supports diverse life forms
• Buttress Roots


  Large roots supporting tall trees in competition for sunlight
• Drip-Tips


  Leaf tips channeling water to prevent damage and fungal growth
• Lianas


  Climbing plants using tree trunks for support
• Emergents


  Tallest layer of rainforest with adapted plants
• Undercanopy


  Layer below emergents with plants absorbing light
• Canopy Animals


  Adapted to life high in trees, e.g., howler monkeys
• Gliding Animals


  Creatures with skin flaps for tree-to-tree movement
• Camouflaged Animals


  Species blending with surroundings for protection
• Nocturnal Animals


  Active at night to conserve energy and avoid heat
• Swimming Animals


  Creatures adapted to aquatic movement, e.g., jaguars
• Adaptations


  Features helping organisms thrive in specific environments