Lecture Seven: Niche and Community Structure Flashcards
(4 cards)
1
Q
What is a niche?
A
Its a combination of suitable environment and conditions for the growth and reproduction of a species
2
Q
What is a fundamental niche?
A
The physical (abiotic) conditions under which a species might live, in the ABSENCE of interactions with other species (biotic)
3
Q
What is a realized niche?
A
the portion of the fundamental niche that a species occupies given environmental restrictions due to ecological interactions (ex: competition + predation)
4
Q
What do competitive interactions generate?
A
They generate strong selection pressure
