[19.3-4] competition & predation Flashcards
1
Q
what is intraspecific competition?
A
competition between members of the same species for (scarce) resources eg. food, light, space
2
Q
what is interspecific competition?
A
competition between members of different species for (scarce) resources eg. food, space, light, mineral ions, water
3
Q
why do some species compete at different speeds?
A
- some species are very good at competitng for resources in the short term especially if they have few competitors
> this is good if they have a rapid reproduction rate - other spcies that are slower to reproduce may be better in the long-term, which is linked to the concept of succession
4
Q
what is a predator?
A
an organism that feeds on another organism, known as their prey
5
Q
what is predation?
A
when one organism is consumed by another
6
Q
describe the effect of predator-prey relationship on population size
A
- predators eat their prey, reducing prey’s population
- as there are fewer prey available, the predators are in greater competition with each other for the prey that are left
- predator population is reduced as some invidiuals are unable to obtain enough prey for their survival or to reproduce
- with fewer predators, left, fewer prey are eaten so more survive and are able to reproduce
- prey population increases
- as more prey are now available as food, predator population inreases
7
Q
what are some key trends found in predator-prey relationships?
A
- always more prey than predator (pyramids of biomass)
- wild fluctuations in population over time
- time-lag in population change for prey followed by population of predator
> prey population has control of predator population, which essentially impacts their own - other factors influencing populations eg. disease, hunting, food source for prey