4.4 Community Ecology

What is the term used to describe the number of species and their relative abundance in a given habitat?

Which of the following best describes the predator-prey relationship?

What is the approximate period of the cycling of predator and prey population sizes in the lynx-snowshoe hare example?

What is the lag time between the predator and prey population cycles in the lynx-snowshoe hare example?

Which of the following habitats is described as having low species diversity?

What is the primary reason for the cycling of snowshoe hare and lynx populations?

What type of defense mechanism is used by the honey locust tree against herbivores?

What is the primary purpose of the toxins produced by the foxglove plant?

What is the primary defense mechanism used by the tropical walking stick insect to avoid detection by predators?

What is the primary purpose of the bright yellow and black coloration of the monarch butterfly caterpillar?

What is the primary function of the secondary plant compounds produced by the foxglove plant?

What is the primary function of the chameleon's ability to change color?

What is the primary evolutionary driver behind the adaptations that allow prey species to escape predation?

What is the relationship between the predator-prey dynamics and the reciprocal evolutionary responses?

Which type of species is considered the 'base' or 'bedrock' of a community?

What is a characteristic of foundation species?

Which organism is mentioned as a foundation species in the text?

What distinguishes a keystone species from other species in an ecosystem?

What happens to mussel populations when the keystone species Pisaster ochraceus is removed from a community?

How do Asian carp threaten native species according to the text?

'The coral reef provides structure by physically modifying the environment' - this statement refers to which type of species?

'Asian carp may outcompete native species for food' - What ecological concept does this exemplify?

'Coral is the foundation species of coral reef ecosystems' - Why is this important for other organisms in the ecosystem?

'The European starling is categorized as an invasive species' - What impact can this have on local ecosystems?

What is the purpose of the bright coloration on the bellies of fire-bellied toads?

What is a key requirement for warning coloration to be effective?

What is one way that a harmless species can avoid being eaten by predators?

What is the purpose of multiple species sharing the same warning coloration?

According to the competitive exclusion principle, what will happen if two species are competing for the same resources in a habitat?

What is the key reason why the competitive exclusion principle works?

What happened when the two protozoan species, Paramecium aurelia and Paramecium caudatum, were placed together in the same test tube?

What is the purpose of the bright coloration on the wings of monarch butterflies?

What is the key difference between the fire-bellied toad and the harmless hoverfly in terms of their coloration?

What is the key advantage that multiple unpleasant-tasting Heliconius butterfly species gain by sharing a similar color pattern?

What type of relationship is exhibited when one species benefits while the other is neither harmed nor benefited?

In the relationship between termites and protists, which organism benefits from the ability to digest cellulose?

What is the relationship between the protists and the symbiotic bacteria in the termite gut?

In the relationship between a fungus and photosynthetic algae or cyanobacteria in lichens, which organism produces glucose?

What type of growth pattern is exhibited by P. aurelia and P. caudatum when grown together?

What happens to the population of P. caudatum when grown together with P. aurelia?

What type of relationship is exhibited when one species benefits while the other is harmed?

In the relationship between a bird and a tree, which organism benefits from the nesting?

What type of relationship is exhibited between the termite and the protists in its gut?

In the relationship between a fungus and photosynthetic algae/cyanobacteria in lichens, which organism provides a physical structure that protects the algae/cyanobacteria?

What is a parasite?

How does parasitism differ from predation?

Why do parasites usually slow down the process of killing their hosts?

How does a tapeworm benefit from its host?

What is species richness?

Where is species richness highest according to the text?

What factor besides latitude influences species richness?

Why do foundation species often have high relative abundance?

'Species richness varies with island size and distance from the mainland.' This statement supports which ecological principle?

What does biodiversity measure?

What type of succession occurs following the retreat of a glacier?

What is the main difference between primary and secondary succession?

What role do pioneer species play in primary succession?

What is the main outcome of secondary succession?

In what type of environment do intermediate species emerge?

What factor initiates the growth of shrubs and small trees in secondary succession?