Here is the simple defintion of these words that is kid friendly. Ecology: Scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment Abiotic Factor: Physical or non-living factor that shapes an enviorment. Biotic Factor: All of the organisms in an ecosystem. Habitat:The area where an organism lives, including abiotic and biotic factors surrounding it. Niche: Full range of physical and biological conditions in which an organism lives and the way in which the organism uses those conditions; aka the organisms job in its enviorment. Species: Group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring Population: Group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area Community: Assemblage of different populations that live together in a defined area Ecosystem:Collection of all the organisms that live in a particular place, together with their nonliving environment Biome: Goup of ecosystems that have the same climate and dominant communities Biosphere: Part of Earth in which life exists including land, water, and air or atmosphere