f

ecological dictionary

F

Fertilizer

Natural or artificial material that is added to soil to make it more fertile.

Filoxera

An insect with short antennae and an atrophied mouth, also known as wine louse. It originated in the Americas and was introduced to Europe in 1860. It destroys the roots and leaves of grape vines, and has caused large-scale damage to many vineyards in the Americas and Europe.

Foliaceous

Having the shape or texture of a leaf.

Food chain

The feeding relationship between organisms in an ecosystem, determining which organism eats what.

Food pyramid

The hierarchy of food chains presented in the shape of a pyramid. The principle predator is at the top, and the organisms of each level prey on those at the level below them. The pyramid shape is created by the few organisms at the top, and the increasing number of species and/or individuals at each successive lower level.

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