Communities

Question 1

Define community

Answer 1

Populations in one area and how they interact.

Question 2

Define diversity

Answer 2

Composition of species in a community.

Question 3

Define species richness

Answer 3

Number of species.

Question 4

Define relative species abundance

Answer 4

How many of each species.

Question 5

Does it matter if a community has high or low relative species abundance?

Answer 5

Yes - as a diverse community will remain relatively intact after a disturbance.

Question 6

Define mutualism and give an example

Answer 6

Both or all species benefit. E.g., crocodile and plover birds; crocodile will get it’s teeth cleaned while the plover bird gets to eat!

Question 7

Define commensalism and give an example

Answer 7

One benefits, the other is not impacted. E.g., grey whale and barnacles; grey whale is not impacted, however the barnacle gets more food as the whale swims thru water.

Question 8

Define exploitation

Answer 8

One benefits, one is harmed.

Question 9

Define herbivore and give an example

Answer 9

Animal that consumes plants. E.g., sheep.

Question 10

Define predator and give an example

Answer 10

Animal that consumes other animals. E.g., wolf.

Question 11

Define parasite and give an example

Answer 11

Organism that lives in or on a host and causes harm to host. E.g., corpse flower - takes nutrients from other plants’ roots.

Question 12

Define competition

Answer 12

Different species need the same resources.

Question 13

Define interference competition and give an example

Answer 13

One organism excludes another organism from getting resources. E.g., two sparrows fight over the same nest hole.

Question 14

Define exploitative competition and give an example

Answer 14

Species compete indirectly for the same resources. E.g., plants compete for nitrogen or space to grow.