envi

• Biogeochemical cycle


  Cycling of chemicals/elements (e.g. carbon, nitrogen, oxygen) through the biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors
• Types of biogeochemical cycles

  • Sedimentary
  • Gaseous
• Sedimentary biogeochemical cycles

  • Main reservoirs located in the earth's crust (e.g. soil, sedimentary rocks)
  • Example: Phosphorus cycle
• Gaseous biogeochemical cycles


  • Main reservoirs located in the atmosphere
  • Examples: Oxygen cycle, Carbon cycle
• Intraspecific competition

  Competition between organisms of the same species
• Interspecific competition


  Competition between organisms of different species
• Intraspecific competition is more intense than interspecific competition
• Differences between primary and secondary ecological succession

  • Primary succession occurs in an area not previously inhabited
  • Secondary succession occurs in an area previously destroyed
• Limiting factor


  A resource or environmental condition that limits or stops the growth and distribution of an organism or population
• Limiting factors

  • Food
  • Water
  • Shelter
  • Nutrients
• The availability of limiting factors can limit the growth of a population