Biology Module 3&4 - Biomes/Climate and Population Ecology

emigration

Movement of individuals away from a population

immigration

Movement of individuals into a population

population density

Number of individuals per unit area

climate

The average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time

limiting factor

any biotic or abiotic factor in the environment that limits the size of a population

primary succession

development of communities in a lifeless area not previously inhabited by life (lava)

density dependent factors

factor that limits a population more as population density increases

density independent factors

limiting factors whose influence is not affected by population density

secondary succession

sequence of changes that take place after a community is disrupted or destroyed by natural disasters or human actions

habitat

the general place where an organism lives

carrying capacity

the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that a particular environment can support

niche

the unique position occupied by a species, including how it interacts with biotic and abiotic factors in the environment