Ecology Flashcards
What factors change K (carrying capacity)?
water availability
nutrient available
refuge from predators
What is the difference between a fundamental and realised niche?
A fundamental niche is the sum of all resources needed and conditions tolerated by individuals of a species when in isolation. It is invariant.
A realised niche is a fraction of the fundamental niche when in the presence of other species. It depends on other species in the system.
What is a niche?
All of the combinations of resources availability and conditions that allow individuals of a given species to complete successfully their biological cycle - to survive and reproduce.
Define the average temp and precipitation of: a desert
Temp >16, precipitation <20mm annually.
Define the average temp and precipitation of: heathland
Temp 15-25, precipitation <100mm annually
Define the average temp and precipitation of: savanna
Temp >24, precipitation 25-50mm annually.
Define the average temp and precipitation of: temperate broadleaf forest.
Broad range of temperatures and precipitation.
Define the average temp and precipitation of: temperate grassland.
Temp 8-30, precipitation low.
Define the average temp and precipitation of: tropical forest.
Temp above 30, precipitation high.
What do climographs plot?
Annual mean temperatures and precipitation for particular biomes.
What is demography?
The study of vital statistics birth and death rates of populations and how they change over time.
What are examples of survivorship curves Type 1, 2 and 3?
Type 1: humans
Type 2: birds
Type 3: trees
How does Mullerian mimicry and Batesian mimicry differ?
Mullerian mimicry is two or more unpalatable species resembling each other - usually to appear dangerous to predators.
Batesian mimicry is where a harmless species has evolved to imitate the warning signals of a harmful species directed at a predator of them both.
