3.1 Flashcards
Define niche
The abiotic and biotic resources that a species uses, how they use them, where they are at, when they are used, and what they are.
What are fundamental and realized niches and how are they different?
Fundamental niches are all the places where a species can thrive in one large area, places where there are plenty of resources that the species needs. Realized niches are the actual amount of space a population takes up in a community, it usually is not the same as the fundamental niches, as factors like competition force them to stay away from areas that seem otherwise ideal. The two are different because fundamental niches are the places the species could live in without considering other species, and realized niches are the areas the species are actually living in because of competition.
Define mutualism and give an example.
Mutualism an interspecies relationship where both are benefited. An example would be an oxpecker picking annoying flies off of another animals back, the oxpecker is fed and the other animal is no longer covered in flies.
Define parasitism and give an example.
Parasitism is an interspecies relationship in which one is benefited and the other is negatively impacted. Parasitism can leave the host alive, and it can last for a long time, making it different from predation and herbivory. An example would be a mosquito stealing blood from a human.
Define herbivory and give an example.
Herbivory is an interspecies relationship where one is benefited and the other is negatively impacted. It is similar to predation, except the things being eaten are plants. An example would be a giraffe eating leaves from a tree.
Define commensalism and give an example.
Commensalism is an interspecies relationship where one is benefited and the other is not affected. An example would be lichen growing on a tree, the tree is unaffected but the lichen gets a safe place to exist and food.
Define predation and give an example.
Predation is an interspecies relationship where one is benefited and the other is negatively impacted. Predation is usually short, and the other animal involved is always dead and eaten by the end. An example would be a cat hunting and eating a mouse.
Define facultative interspecies relationships and give an example of one.
Facultative interspecies relationships are relationships where all or one of the species involved benefit from the interaction, but can live without each other. An example would be honeybees and dandelions. Honeybees can rely on other flowers, dandelions are just another option for them to get nectar from.
Define obligatory interspecies relationships and give an example of one.
Obligatory interspecies relationships are relationships where all or one of the species involved need each other to survive. An example would be fig wasps and fig fruits.
What is likely to happen when the niches of two species overlap slightly or a lot?
When the niches barely overlap, they can slowly shrink into being slightly smaller realized niches where they do not overlap, and when the niches overlap quite a lot, the stronger competitor can fight off the entire encroaching species, until it dies or is forced to live in an extremely small realized niche.
How does niche partitioning increase biodiversity? How do species sometimes partition niches?
Niche partitioning increases biodiversity as it allows more species to have enough resources in the area, because potential competitors for the resources will live in a different niche elsewhere. Some species partition niches by the time of day or month or year they use the resources, some turn to using other resources that competing species do not use, or living in different areas.
