Ecology by Molly Greenough

Herbivore

greenoughmo — 2014-10-08 12:20:14 UTC

This squirrel is an herbivore, which means it snacks on vegetation and other non- animal creatures. A squirrel isn't really an omnivore unless it desperately needs the sustenance.

Abiotic Factor

greenoughmo — 2014-10-08 12:23:27 UTC

The sun is a very important abiotic (non-living) factor that every creature and plant in the universe needs to survive.

Part of the Water Cycle

greenoughmo — 2014-10-08 12:26:32 UTC

Precipitation is a very important part of the water cycle. When the clouds fill up with too much precipitation, it falls down to Earth. Precipitations falls as: rain, snow, sleet and hail.

Human Impact

greenoughmo — 2014-10-08 12:29:59 UTC

Humans don't have the best impact on the environment. Cars release Carbon into the atmosphere and it destructs the ozone layer.

Primary Producer

greenoughmo — 2014-10-08 12:32:54 UTC

Primary producers, which include most plants, are vital to the environment. They harvest energy from the sun and through photosynthesis they create carbs for other animals to obtain energy. They are vital to the food web.

Secondary Consumer

greenoughmo — 2014-10-08 12:35:54 UTC

A praying mantis is a secondary consumer, also known as a carnivore. They eat other bugs and creatures.

Omnivore

greenoughmo — 2014-10-08 12:38:38 UTC

Omnivores are animals that eat both plants AND animals. Swans are a great example- they eat both algae and other plants, along with fish and little creatures.

Decomposer

greenoughmo — 2014-10-08 12:40:01 UTC

Decomposers are the clean up crew of the food web. They recycle nutrients and are vital to the ecosystem. Without decomposers like worms, we would have decaying matter everywhere.

Population

greenoughmo — 2014-10-08 12:42:03 UTC

These ants are a great example of population. Population includes all the inhabitants of a particular species. This colony of ants was part of the population in my backyard.

Competition

greenoughmo — 2014-10-08 12:45:18 UTC

These two spiders are an example of intraspecific competition. They are the same species of spiders, and they are competing for habitat and food.