UPCAT General Science (Extended) — Ecology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Species RelationshipsConcept Map

Concept

Levels of Organization

Sub Concepts

• Organism - individual living things with specific adaptations
• Population - groups of same species in specific areas
• Community - all interacting organisms in an area
• Ecosystem - community plus physical environment
• Biosphere - global layer supporting all life

Relationship To Central

Forms the hierarchical framework for studying ecological systems

Concept

Feeding Relationships

Sub Concepts

• Producers/Autotrophs - make their own food using energy
• Consumers/Heterotrophs - obtain food by eating other organisms
• Herbivores - plant eaters (primary consumers)
• Carnivores - meat eaters (secondary/tertiary consumers)
• Omnivores - eat both plants and animals
• Decomposers - break down dead organic matter

Relationship To Central

Shows how energy flows through ecological systems

Concept

Biogeochemical Cycles

Sub Concepts

• Water Cycle - evaporation, condensation, precipitation
• Carbon Cycle - photosynthesis and respiration processes
• Nitrogen Cycle - nitrogen fixation and conversion
• Phosphorus Cycle - movement through rocks, soil, organisms
• Sulfur Cycle - oxidation and reduction of sulfur compounds

Relationship To Central

Recycles essential chemical elements through ecosystems

Concept

Species Relationships

Sub Concepts

• Mutualism - both species benefit
• Commensalism - one benefits, other unaffected
• Parasitism - one benefits, other harmed
• Competition - both species negatively affected
• Predation - predator benefits, prey harmed
• Amensalism - one harmed, other unaffected

Relationship To Central

Describes how different species interact and affect each other

Concept

Ecological Succession

Sub Concepts

• Primary Succession - development in new, uncolonized areas
• Secondary Succession - recovery after disturbance
• Pioneer Species - first organisms to colonize areas
• Climax Community - stable, mature community

Relationship To Central

Shows how ecosystems change and develop over time

To

Carbon Cycle

From

Producers

Strength

strong

Relationship

Producers use carbon dioxide in photosynthesis and release oxygen

To

Nitrogen Cycle

From

Decomposers

Strength

strong

Relationship

Decomposers break down organic nitrogen and convert it to forms plants can use

To

Competition

From

Population

Strength

strong

Relationship

Population density affects the intensity of intraspecific and interspecific competition

To

Pioneer Species

From

Primary Succession

Strength

strong

Relationship

Pioneer species are the first to colonize areas during primary succession

To

Energy Transfer

From

Food Chains

Strength

strong

Relationship

Only 10% of energy transfers between trophic levels, rest lost as heat

To

Biogeochemical Cycles

From

Ecosystem

Strength

strong

Relationship

Ecosystems depend on the cycling of essential elements for sustainability

To

Species Survival

From

Mutualism

Strength

moderate

Relationship

Mutualistic relationships increase survival chances for both species involved

To

Species Diversity

From

Community

Strength

moderate

Relationship

Communities with higher species diversity tend to be more stable

To

Population Control

From

Parasitism

Strength

moderate

Relationship

Parasites can regulate host population sizes in natural ecosystems

To

Climate Regulation

From

Water Cycle

Strength

moderate

Relationship

Water cycle influences local and global climate patterns