Keystone species
an organism that plays a unique an crucial role in the way an ecosystem functions
Ecosystem
the living organisms and the environment with which they interact
habitat
the natural environment where an organism lives
niche
the role of a species within an ecosystem
species
a group of similar organisms that can interbreed naturally to produce fertile offspring
population
all the individuals of the same species that live at the same place and time
biotic factors
the living parts of an ecosystem, which includes the organisms and their effects on each other
frame quadrat
a plastic or metal square that sets a standard unit of area for study of the distribution of marine organisms
transect
a rope or tape marked at regular intervals that sets standard distances for study of the distribution of marine organisms
line transect
a sampling method involving counting of species that touch the intersect
belt transect
a sampling method involving counting of species in frame quadrats placed adjacent to the transect