Week 6 Flashcards
How is competition defined from an ecological stand point
Multiple organisms interacting around a common resource resulting in changes in one or more of the interacting organism.
What would be the most common thing for animals to be in competition for
Food - Water
Space - nesting sites
What would be the most common thing for plants to be in competition for
Nutrients - Water
Space - light
What is resource-exploitation
When individuals use a resource therefore making it unavailable to the other organisms (Direct effect on the resource
What is interference competition
A direct interaction between organisms resulting one or more having reduced availability to the resource. (Poison-attacking-intimidation)
What is intra-specific competition
Competition among organisms of the same species, typically from the same population
What is inter-specific competition
Competition among organisms of different species
What evidence is needed to demonstrate competition
Patterns from nature that show a negative affect on one of the interacting organisms
What are selective pressures
The adaptation of traits that allow species to avoid competition with other species (Darwin finches beck sizes)
What are some life-history strategies relating to competition?
How fast an organisms will grow
When and how much to reproduce and if to invest in parental care
What is R selection in animals
Produce large amounts of offspring with little parental care, some will make it to sexual maturity
Good for extreme and or changing environments
(Type 3)
What is K selection in animals
Produce small amounts of offspring with high parental care providing the best change for the offspring to survive.
Good for stable environments
(Type 1,2)
What are some selection factors
Rapid development - High rm - Early reproduction - Small body size - Single reproduction
What are competitor - Stress - Ruderal plant strategies
Determined by the intensity of Disturbance and stress
Low,low = Competitive strategy
Low,high = Stress tolerant strategy
High,high = Ruderal weed strategy
How do predators effect prey population. Plus vis versa
Numerous prey -> Increase in predators -> Decrease in pray -> Decrease in predators -> increase in prey
