competition Flashcards
define interference competition
direct physical intimidation/conflict
define exploitation interference
competition through consumption of resources
define fundamental niche
the area of theoretical inhabitance for an individual/group without the interference of predators
define realised niche
the actual area that can be inhabited by an individual due to competition
define niche differentiation
the process of moving from the fundamental niche to the realise niche.
define resource partitioning. how can it be achieved- behaviour and evolution
speciation or behavioural changes that result in too many species exploiting the same resource. particularly common with the introduction of livestock to wild environments
define ecotone habitat
an area that can facilitate many species and does not require them to speciate or change their behaviour to exploit resources
define allopatric speciation
physical geographical division of a population. speciation occurs due to different elective pressures in the two area
define peripatric speciaton
physical geographical division of a population. speciation occurs due to different elective pressures in the two area. one population has significantly fewer individuals.
define parapatric speciation
population fragments (possibly due to dispersal of young). there is no initial geographical separation.
define sympatric speciation
when a genetic change occurs within a population and becomes prevalent in a portion of it
define centrifugal speciation
ecosystem extend and a population spreads throughout it. when the large ecosystem becomes fragmented, so to does the population and speciation occurs in the now isolated portions
define the competitive exclusion principle. why is even a slight advantage so important?
if two similar species inhabit the same habit and exploit the same resources, the slightest advantage that one has will cause the other to become either extinct or to leave the niche
