How does competition affect population size? Flashcards
What do organisms compete for?
Things they need to survive and reproduce.
What do animals compete for?
-Food
-Water
-Space (territory)
-Mates
What do plants compete for?
-Space so they get sufficient light,water and mineral ions
What are the 2 types of competition?
Intraspecific and Interspecific
What is Intraspecific competition?
Where organisms compete with other organisms of the same species for things like food and territory
What does Intraspecific competition cause?
A cyclical change in population size for K-Strategies
What is Interspecific variation?
Organisms compete with organisms of different species
What 2 things will happen when resources become limiting?
-population size of each species competing for a resource decreases
-if one species is better adapted to the environment, it will outcompete the other species
How does predation affect population size?
In a stable community, the population size of predators and prey rise and fall in a negative feedback cycle
What happens step by step in a Predator-Prey Cycle using foxes and rabbits as an example.
1)Not many foxes so the number of rabbits increases
2)There is more food (rabbits) for foxes so the number of foxes increases
3)numbers of rabbits decrease as lots of foxes eat them
4)number of foxes decreases as less rabbits eat
What do we rely on ecosystems for?
To provide us with the resources we need to survive
Give examples of ecosystems that we rely on and what for.
-Rain-forests for fuel,food medicine and clothes
-Oceans provide many foods
-Both of the above provide most of our oxygen
What is the issue with these resources that are provided to us?
We are using them up too quickly, damaging the ecosystems and reducing biodiversity
What do we need to do about this?
Find ways to obtain resources in a sustainable way while causing the least amount of damage
Define Conservation.
The protection, management and restoration of ecosystems so natural resources can be used without them running out
Define Preservation.
The protection of ecosystems so they are kept exactly as they are
What is the first reason why conservation is important?
Economic reasons
Why are economic reasons important?
Many resources are traded locally and globally and if they run out, there will be less trade and more poverty in the future
What is the second reason why conservation is important?
For social reasons
Why are social reasons important?
Many ecosystems bring joy to lots of people so if these are lost,future generation won’t be able to enjoy them
What is the third reason why conservation is important?
For ecological reasons
Why are ecological reasons important?
Deforestation is causing global warming and the destruction of habitats is reducing biodiversity
What is the fourth reason why conservation is important?
For Ethical Reasons
Why are ethical reasons important?
Many people think that conserving ecosystems is the right thing to do
