Ecological themes

5. The process by which an organism adapts to its environment
7. CAPACITY The maximum population size an environment can sustain
12. The gradual change in species composition in an ecosystem over time
13. A term for pollutants that accumulate in the food chain
17. The study of interactions among organisms and their environment
18. SPECIES Species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment
19. CYCLE Process by which nutrients circulate through ecosystems
20. Process where plants release water vapor into the atmosphere
21. Species that feeds on dead organic matter
22. A habitat that provides all necessary resources for a species
24. The process where carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants

1. The process of converting nitrogen into a form usable by plants
2. Term for the variety of life in an ecosystem
3. A Symbiotic relationship where both species benefit
4. Biological community defined by dominant vegetation
6. FACTORS Non-living physical and chemical environment
8. Organism that produces its own food via photosynthesis
9. Biological community and its physical enviro: Anment
10. SPECIES A species that influences the structure of an ecological community
11. DEGRADATION The loss of biodiversity due to habitat destruction
14. An organism that feeds on multiple levels of a food chain
15. WEB The transfer of energy through a food chain
16. GROWTH Type of population growth curve that levels off at carrying capacity –
17. A species that is at risk of extinction
23. Largest terrestrial biome characterized by coniferous forests