Ecology terms Flashcards
Evolution (Biological definition)
the change in the characteristics of a species over several generations and relies on the process of natural selection.
Bottom up control
driven by the presence/absence of producers in the ecosystem
Statistical p value
It measures the probability of obtaining the observed results, assuming that the null hypothesis is true. Looking for <0.05
Pleiotropy
When one gene influences two or more seemingly unrelated phylogenetic traits.
Polygenic trait
A trait such as height or skin color, that is influenced by two or more genes.
Chronosequence
a set of ecological sites that share similar attributes but represent different ages.
Heterozygous
A gene that has two different alleles. AB
Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis
suggests that local species diversity is maximized when ecological disturbance is neither too rare nor too frequent.
Keystone Species
A species in which other members of an ecosystem heavily depend upon.
Mid-domain effect
boundary constraints on species’ ranges cause species richness gradients
“the world is green”
a hypothesis that claims that Predators are the key to keeping our world green, because they keep the numbers of plant-eating herbivores from growing out of control and consume all plants
Trophic Cascade
Powerful indirect interactions that can control entire ecosystems. Occurs when predators limit the density and/or behavior of their prey and thereby enhance survival of the next lower trophic level.
Keystone Predator
Specializes on a competitively dominant prey species, increases prey species richness
Random Predator
consumes prey randomly, and the proportion to which they are encountered. Decreases species richness.
Switching Predator
Prefers the most common prey species, and increases species richness.
