Glossary of words for
Southern Pine Beetle Infestation Module

 

abiotic:

Non-living organisms that support the living organisms in an ecosystem.

biotic:

The living organisms that are in an ecosystem.

dispersal:

Spread of a species to a new location. In many organisms, this happens at a particular stage in the life cycle, and is often crucial to the survival of the species. Organisms may disperse as spores, seeds, eggs, larvae, or adults.

ecosystem:

All the organisms in a particular region and the environment in which they live. The elements of an ecosystem interact with each other in some way, and so depend on each other either directly or indirectly.

environment

The place in which an organism lives, and the circumstances under which it lives. Environment includes measures like moisture and temperature, as much as it refers to the actual physical place where an organism is found.

habitat

The place and conditions in which an organism lives.

host

Organism which serves as the habitat for a parasite, or possibly for a symbiont. A host may provide nutrition to the parasite or symbiont, or simply a place in which to live.

metamorphosis:

A process of developmental change in insects whereby a larva reaches adulthood only after a radical change.

niche:

The portion of the environment which a species occupies. A niche is defined in terms of the conditions under which an organism can survive, and may be affected by the presence of other competing organisms.

nutrient

Any element or simple compound necessary for the health and survival of an organism. This includes air and water, as well as food.

organic:

Generally refers to those substances produced by the metabolism of a living.

parasite:

Organism which lives on or within another organism, on which it feeds.

symbiosis:

Literally, "living together". Many cases of symbiosis are mutual, in which both organisms rely on each other for survival.