Chapter 5, Lesson 1Interactions in an Ecosystem

ecosystemabiotic factorbiotic factorpopulationcommunity

ecologyhabitatniche

producerdecomposer

consumertopsoilhumus

ecosystem – all the living and non-living things in an area

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abiotic factor – the non-living parts of an ecosystem

water

air

soil

light

temperature

minerals

biotic factor – the living parts of an ecosystem

animals

protistsfungi

plants

bacteria

population – all the organisms of the same species living in an area

community – all the populations living in an area

ecology – the study of how all things in an ecosystem interact

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habitat – the place where an organism lives

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niche – the role of an organism in its community

What does the species eat?

What eats the species?

What environment does the species need?

Is the species active by night or by day?

NO TWO SPECIES CAN FILL THE SAME NICHE!

producer – an organism that produces oxygen and food like plants and algae

consumer – animals are consumers. They eat algae, plants, or other animals.

decomposer – organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and worms that break down dead plants and

animals into useful things like minerals that enrich the soil.

topsoil – the top layer of soil

humus – partly decayed plant matter