Ecology Key Terminology Crossword Puzzle

QUESTIONS LIST:

• ecosystem : a community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microorganisms) interacting with each other and their physical environment (soil, water, and air).
• biotic : living components of an ecosystem.
• abiotic : non-living components of an ecosystem.
• succession : process by which ecosystems change and develop over time through stages, leading to a stable climax community.
• pioneer species : first organisms to colonise previously disrupted or damaged ecosystems, initiating the ecological succession process.
• climax community : a stable and mature ecological community that has reached the final stage of succession, exhibiting little change over time.
• plagioclimax : a community that has been altered by human activity or environmental factors, preventing it from reaching its natural climax state.
• microclimate : a small, localised climate that differs from the general climate of a larger area, often influencing the types of organisms that can inhabit that space.
• edaphic factors : refer to soil-related characteristics such as ph, nutrient content, and moisture, which affect plant growth and ecological communities.
• community : all the populations that live and interact in a particular area, forming a complex web of relationships.
• population : a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area at the same time.
• niche : the role an organism plays within its ecosystem, including its habitat, resource use, and interactions with other species.
• abundance : refers to the number of individuals of a particular species within a defined area or ecosystem.
• intraspecific : occurs when individuals of the same species compete for limited resources such as food, space, or mates.
• interspecific : refers to competition between individuals of different species for the same resources within an ecosystem.