Ecosystems Vocabulary: 6th Grade

ecosystem

A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

competition

A common demand by two or more organisms upon a limited supply of a resource; for example, food, water, light, space, mates, nesting sites.

energy pyramid

A diagram that shows the amount of energy that moves from one feeding level to another in a food web

population

A group of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area

community

A group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other

host

An organism on which a parasite lives.

producer

An organism that can make its own food.

consumer

An organism that eats other organisms

parasite

An organism that feeds on a living host.

population density

Number of individuals per unit area

habitat

Place where an organism lives

food chain

a community of organisms where each member is eaten in turn by another member

food web

a community of organisms where there are several interrelated food chains

symbiosis

cooperation; mutual helpfulness

diversity

difference, variety; a condition of having many different types of forms

niche

the status of an organism within its environment and community (affecting its survival as a species)