Grasslands: Competition and predation

Question 1

What traits are selected for?

Answer 1

Any that give a competitive edge

Question 2

Where does most competition occur and what is it linked to?

Answer 2

Within a species and linked to population numbers

Question 3

Describe the logistic population model

Answer 3

Rate of growth is a function of population size relative to carrying capacity.

Question 4

What is competitive exclusion?

Answer 4

Where two species cannot coexist if they occupy too similar a niche

Question 5

What can competitive exclusion be prevented by?

Answer 5

Resource partitioning

Question 6

Describe resource partitioning

Answer 6

Differentiation of niches that allows species to coexist. Niches can still overlap

Question 7

What allows species to exploit non-overlapping niches?

Answer 7

Morphological differences

Question 8

What is character displacement a result of?

Answer 8

Natural selection favouring the morphology that allows a species to occupy a different niche and coexist with another species

Question 9

Give three examples of defence mechanisms that have been selected for

Answer 9

Cryptic colouration (camouflage), chemical and physical defences/offences, Batesian mimicry

Question 10

What does predator growth rate depend on?

Answer 10

Prey

Question 11

Give three reasons for current extinction rates being much higher than usual background rates

Answer 11

Competition, resources, climate