EcoExhibit Project By Kayleigh Susan Beron and Tyler

Eco-Exhibit Project By: Kayleigh Susan Beron and Tyler Fioramonti

Levels of Organization Organism-An individual animal, plant, or single-celled life form. Population-a particular section, group, or type of people or animals living in an area or country Community-a group of people or animals living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. Ecosystem-a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

Cycles of Matter Word Definition Hydrologic Cycle The sequence of conditions through which water passes from vapor in the atmosphere through precipitation upon land or water surfaces and ultimately back into the atmosphere as a result of evaporation and transpiration —called also the hydrological cycle. Carbon Cycle The series of processes by which carbon compounds are interconverted in the environment, chiefly involving the incorporation of carbon dioxide into living tissue by photosynthesis and its return to the atmosphere through respiration, the decay of dead organisms, and the burning of fossil fuels. Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen Fixation The series of processes by which nitrogen and its compounds are interconverted in the environment and in living organisms, including nitrogen fixation and decomposition. The chemical processes by which atmospheric nitrogen is assimilated into organic compounds, especially by certain microorganisms as part of the nitrogen cycle. Image

Succession Primary Succession-One of two types of biological and ecological succession of plant life, occurring in an environment in which new substrate devoid of vegetation and usually lacking soil, such as a lava flow or area left from retreated glacier, is deposited. Secondary Succession-the series of community changes which take place on a previously colonized, but disturbed or damaged habitat. Examples include areas which have been cleared of existing vegetation (such as after tree-felling in a woodland) and destructive events such as fires. Pioneer Species-Hardy species which are the first to colonize previously disrupted or damaged ecosystems, beginning a chain of ecological succession that ultimately leads to a more biodiverse steady-state ecosystem Natural Disturbances-a temporary change in environmental conditions that causes a pronounced change in an ecosystem. Disturbances often act quickly and with great effect, sometimes resulting in the removal of large amounts of biomass. Human Activitiessomething that people do or cause to happen

Limiting Factors Food-any nutritious substance that people or animals eat or drink, or that plants absorb, in order to maintain life and growth. Shelter-a place giving temporary protection from bad weather or danger. Water-a colorless, transparent, odorless, tasteless liquid that forms the seas, lakes, rivers, and rain and is the basis of the fluids of living organisms. Space-a continuous area or expanse that is free, available, or unoccupied. Disease-a disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant, especially one that produces specific signs or symptoms or that affects a specific location and is not simply a direct result of physical injury. Parasitism- is a non-mutual symbiotic relationship between species, where one species, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the other, the host. Traditionally parasite referred primarily to organisms visible to the naked eye, or macro parasites (such as helminths). Predation-the preying of one animal on others. Weather-the state of the atmosphere at a place and time as regards heat, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain, etc.

Energy Transfer Food Chain-a hierarchical series of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food. Food Web-a system of interlocking and interdependent food chains. Trophic Levels-each of several hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, comprising organisms that share the same function in the food chain and the same nutritional relationship to the primary sources of energy. Producer-an organism, as a plant, that is able to produce its own food from inorganic substances. Consumer-a person or thing that eats or uses something. Primary consumer-an animal that feeds on plants Secondary consumera carnivore that feeds only upon herbivores. Tertiary consumera carnivore at the topmost level in a food chain that feeds on oth er carnivores; an animal that feeds only on secondary consumers. Decomposeran organism, usually a bacterium or fungus, that breaks dow n the cells of dead plants and animals into simpler substances.

Biotic Interactions Competition-The activity or condition of the strive to gain or win something by defeating or establishing superiority over others who are trying to do the same. Predation-The preying of one animal on others. Symbiosis-The interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both. Mutualism-The doctrine that mutual dependence is necessary to social wellbeing. Commensalism-An association between two organisms in which one benefits and the other derives neither benefit nor harm. Parasitism-A non-mutual symbiotic relationship between species, where one species, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the other, the host. Traditionally parasite referred primarily to organisms visible to the naked eye, or macro parasites.

Biotic Interactions in the Safari In the safari, there are many examples to biotic interactions, for example, the image to the right are 2 male lions fighting for leadership, this is competition. Also in the safari, there is a lot of predation between the animals and the lions and tigers. In the safari, there isn’t much mutualism, but there is a lot of parasitism.

Energy Transfers in the Safari In the safari, there a lot of energy transfers. First, there are the producers, like the grass, which is then consumed by the first primary consumers (the herbivores) like zebra’s. It is then eaten by secondary consumers (the carnivores) by animals such as the cheetah.

Limiting Factors in the Safari There are many limiting factors in the safari, such as lack of water, shelter, disease, parasitism, weather and predation. Space isn’t that common of a problem since there is a lot of space.