Ecology Crossword Puzzle

Organism that feeds on other organisms that have already died
No two species can occupy the same ecological niche for long
Organisms, such as fungi, that break down and absorb nutrients from dead organisms
Relationship where two species co-exist with at least one being dependent on the other
Lowest level of hierarchy that includes living and nonliving things
Level of hierarchy that includes several interacting populations and the dynamics associated with these interactions
The environment where an organism lives
Highest level of hierarchy that includes all of life; extends from the atmosphere to the bottom of the oceans
Scientific study of interactions among and between organisms and their physical environment
Group of organisms of one species that interbreed and live in a defined area
Relationship in which two species co-exist, but while one species benefits, the other species is not harmed or benefited
Simple model that shows the path matter and energy move through an ecosystem; a simplified version consist of only three steps
More complex model that expresses multiple feeding relationships and energy relationships in a community
Organism that generates their own nutrients (food) using either sunlight or other chemicals to trigger a chemical conversion
Organisms that cannot generate their own nutrients (food) and must feed on other organisms for energy and nutrients
Nonliving “factor” of an organism's environment; e.g., temperature, light, and soil
Functional role of an organism; includes all biotic and abiotic interactions as an organism meets its need for survival and production
Relationship in which one organism benefits at the expense of the other species, but the other species is not immediately killed
Predator and prey adaptations as a result of natural selection
Utilization of different resources in the same habitat by different species; e.g., day vs. night, different spots in a tree
Competition between two individuals of the same species
Competition between two individuals of different species
A type of "curve" that helps scientists understand the density of individuals based on an environmental variable
Relationship in which two organisms co-exist and both benefit from each other
A "species" that plays a critical role in a community regardless of population size
A term describing an organism that eats both producers and consumers
A term describing an organism that only eats primary producers
A predictable series of changes in the vegetative community over time
This "effect" captures just enough solar energy making life possible on the planet