Science Vocab Unit 6

Organisms that other organisms in the ecosystem depend on

An ecological succession that begins in an area where no biotic community previously existed

branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.

A species that's not in its native habitat

a natural resource that is used up faster than it can be replaced by natural processes

An organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms

An ecological succession that occurs after a major disturbance, such as a wildfire, flood, or storm

Consists of all life on Earth and all parts of the Earth

The increase in chemical concentration in animal tissues as the chemical moves up the food chain

An organism that breaks down wastes and dead organisms

Breakup of a habitat into smaller pieces

Living parts of an ecosystem

the variety of life, or number of species

Each step in a food chain or food web

The loss of some or all of a soil's ability to support plant growth

nonliving parts of an ecosystem

Fish farming

An organism that makes its own food

Damage done to a habitat

the rate at which an ecosystem returns to its original state

A natural resource that can be replaced at the same speed its been used

 community of organisms and their physical environment

An increased concentration of a chemical within an organism over time

the impact of a person or community on the environment

able to be decomposed into harmless substances

the system of growing a different crop in a field each year to preserve the fertility of the soil