Interaction of Ecosystems Flashcards
Habitat
all of the biotic and abiotic factors in the area where an organism lives
(Pretty mush where an animal lives)
Niche
what all physical, chemical, and biological factors that a species needs to survive
( the animal’s role in an ecosystem)
(how it lives)
Food role
type, competition, where in the food web
Abiotic factors
rang of conditions needed for survival
Behavior
when active, when/where/how it reproduces ect.
Compare an organism’s occupation and habitat
habitat - address
niche - occupation
How is understanding both habitat and niche beneficial?
Its gives us better understanding of the while ecosystem.
In terms of nature how come when animals compete for food, no one wins?
Because both animals use energy to compete for food. Even though you win the food you still used a lot of energy to win the food.
Why is it good for organisms to specialize in a niche
This eliminates competition for food.
Driving force of Natural selection.
Ability for survival and reproduction
What gives structure to a community?
Resource availability.
What are good traits of survival in a community?
The ability to obtain water, food, and shelter
What is the correlation between the ability to survive, reproduce, and obtain resources?
The higher ability to obtain resources = the higher ability to survive = the better chance of reproduction
Competitive exclusion
When two species compete for the same resource one will be better suited to the niche
(One is better and getting the resource)
What is the result of the losing species in Competitive Exclusion
The loser adapts or goes extinct
Niche partitioning
dividing needed resourses
Evolutionary response
result in the divergent evolution
Ecological Equivalents
species that have similar niches but live in different geographical regions
(mantella frog & pioson dart frog)
Symbiosis
close ecological relationship between two or more organisms of different species that live in direct contact with one another
( 2 animals that live together and work together)
Competition
Fighting for the same limited resource
Interspecific
2 different species competing for the same limited recourse.
(Grass vs. Dandelions)
Intraspecific
Competition in the same species
(mainly in breeding season)
Predation
Process of one organism capturing and feeding on another organism (prey)
(Often in hunting)
Mutualism
2 different species (Interspecies) both benefit.
(Clown-Fish & Sea Anemone)
Commensalism
one benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed
(Barnacles on a Whale)
Parasitism
One benifits, one harmed
(parasites benefiting and host being harmed)
(parasites keeping the host alive)
Ectoparasite
attach to outside and feed off fluids
Endoparasites
attach to the inside and feed nutrients ingested from the host
Fatal if not treated
Amensalism
one organism harmed, the other is neither benefited or harmed
Population density
Number of individuals living in a defined space
Changes in density help determine changes to the environment
Population density formula
of Individuals / Area
Population dispersal
Way in which individuals of a population are spread in an area
Clupmed dispersion
live close in groups
( schools of fish)
Benifits of clumped dispersion
Benifits: Finding mates
Gaining protection
Access to food or resources
Uniform dispersion
Equally distances apart
Caused by territorial animals and intraspecies competition for limited resources.
Random Distribution
No set pattern of dispersion
Survivorship curves
Diagram showing the number of surviving members over time from a measured set of birth
Why do we track survivorship curves?
To help show Reproductive rates and strategies
Ex: r-stratagy and k-stratagy (opposites)
Survivorship curve “Type 1”
common among large animals
Low infant mortality
Survivorship curve “Type 2”
Survivorship rate equal through life
Birds, reptiles, small mammals
(50% chance dying though out life)
Survivorship curve “Type 3”
High birth rate low survivorship
Amphibians, fish, invertebrates (Insects)
How do populations grow?
Depends on immigration, emigration, births, and deaths
immigration
coming into a population from another
emigration
leaving a population to another
What is the growth of a population based on
The rate of growth of a population is determined by the amount of resources available.
What is better exponential or logical growth
Logistic growth - because you hit a point where the populations levels off.
Carrying capacity
max number of individuals of a specific species an environment can support
Can change with environmental changes/ resource availability
Population crash
A dramatic decline in size over a short period of time
Limiting factor
resource with the greatest effect if keeping the population down
Density-Dependent Limiting Factors
Factors affected by the number of individuals
Competition
What is the best environment for Parasites and Desies?
Densely populated areas because it can spread faster.
Why do Parasites and Desies spread fast?
It has ease of transport
Density-Independent Limiting Factors
Environment limits population regardless of the density of the population.
( Unusual weather )
( Natural disasters )
( Human activities )
Ecological Succession
An environment changes over time.
Succession
a sequence of biotic changes that regenerate a damaged community or create a community in a previously uninhabited area
( Volcanos )
( Floods )
( Fires )
Primary Succession
Takes the longest
Development in a habitat previously uninhabited
Pioneer Species
first organisms to move into an area
Lichens and mosses
Secondary Succession
Reestablishment of damaged ecosystem in area
Fires, Hurricanes, floods
Why is Succession important?
Some organisms depend on it
increases biodiversity
Reduce invasive species
Overall healthier ecosystem
