Science pt2

Population
Inhabitants of a certain area

Exponential growth
A constant rate of growth, more rapid in proportion to the growing total number

Limiting Factors
Environmental limits that prevent growth in population for certain organisms.

Carrying Capacity
The maximum population of a certain organism that can be supported.

Ecological Niche
The place where a specific organism lives.

Predator
An organism that naturally feeds on other organisms.

Prey
An organism that is hunted and killed for food.

Mutualism
Symbiosis that is beneficial to both organisms.

Parasite
An organism that depends on a host to survive.

Competition
When two organisms compete for something, such as a mate or resources.

Sustainable use
Use of a resource that will never impact the ecosystem, and never disappear.

Doubling time
The time that it takes for an organism to double in population.

Ecological footprint
The measure of an organism's impact on the ecosystem.

Unsustainability
Use of a resource or ecosystem that will eventually die off.

Sustainability
Use of a resource or ecosystem that will always replenish itself.

Ecosystem services
Benefits to the ecosystem provided by organisms within the population of the ecosystem.

Desertification
When land that loses moisture turns into a desert.

Ecotourism
A tour of an ecosystem that does not damage or impact the ecosystem.