C1 Species & Communities Flashcards
Limiting Factor
Component of ecosystem that limits distribution of a population
Biotic vs Abiotic
Living vs Non-living
Biotic limiting factors
Interactions between organisms
Intraspecific vs interspecific
Within vs between species
Intraspecific biotic limiting factor
Limiting factor within species
Intraspecific biotic limiting factor
Limiting factor within species
Interspecific biotic limiting factor
Limiting factor between species
Abiotic factors
Environmental conditions
Examples of abiotic factors
Light, temperature, salinity, rainfall, wind velocity, soil pH, etc.
Law of tolerance
For each abiotic factor, there is a range of tolerances an organism can survive
Typical shape of Law of tolerance
Bell shaped curve
3 regions of Law of Tolerance
Optimal zone, Zones of stress, Zones of intolerance
Optimal zone of tolerance
Favour maximal reproductive success and survivability
Zone of stress of tolerance
Bordering optimal zone, can survive but with reduced reproductive success
Zones of intolerance
Outermost region, organisms cannot survive. Extreme of limiting factor
Function of quadrat and transects
measure distribution of species in response an incremental abiotic
Quadrats
Rectangular frames used to establish population densities
Transects
Straight line along abiotic gradient from which population data can be recorded to determine a pattern
How to use quadrat
- Placed at regular intervals along transect line to generate population data
- will show changing distribution pattern in response to abiotic change
- Data identifies optimal conditions and zones of stress
Abiotic factors considered in transect data
Elevation, elemental exposure, temperature, light levels, pH, humidity and more
Kite Graph
represent changes in species distribution in a clear and effective fashion
Ecological Niche
Suitable environment for a species. Considering abiotic and biotic factors
Components of a niche
habitat, activity patterns, resources, interactions
Carrying Capacity
Max no. of population environment can sustain
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CCONTINUE ECOLOGICAL NICHE
Herbivory
Eating only plant matter
Herbivory effect on plant species
Beneficial or harmful
Beneficial herbivory
Fruit eating animals spread seeds through faeces. Promotes seed dispersal
Harmful herbivory
Types of beetle feed voraciously on crop plants, causing crop failure
Types of symbiotic relationship
Mutualism
Commensalism
Parasitism
Predation
Predator hunts and feeds on prey (both organism)
How predation effects populations levels when prey population drops
(e.g. due to over-feeding), predator numbers will dwindle. intra-specific competition increases
How predation effects populations levels when prey population rises
predator numbers will increase. result of the over-abundance of a food source
Symbiosis
close and persistent interaction between two species
Mutualism
Both species benefit from the interaction
Commensalism
One species benefits, the other is unaffected
Parasitism
One species benefits to the detriment of the other species
