Ecotype

Ecotype is a big word that helps scientists talk about different groups of plants and animals that live in the same place but are a little bit different from each other.

Think about your toys. You might have a bunch of toys that look similar, like a bunch of toy cars. But if you look closer, each of the cars might have different colors or shapes. They're all still toy cars, but they're different types of toy cars.

Just like that, scientists use the word ecotype to talk about different types of plants and animals that live in the same area. They might all look similar, but they might have different abilities or characteristics that make them better suited to their environment.

For example, imagine two groups of flowers growing in the same field. One group might be bigger and brighter, and the other might be smaller and more delicate. Even though they're all flowers, they're different types of flowers, or ecotypes.

Scientists use the word ecotype to talk about these differences so they can study them and understand how different plants and animals are adapted to their ecosystems.