APES Chapter 6 Part 2 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are the three factors that determine the distribution of species?

Relationship between species, range of tolerance, and the species' ability to migrate.

What is community ecology?

The study of how communities increase or decrease.

What are the four categories of interactions between species?

Parasitism, mutualism, commensalism, and competition.

What is competition?

Two or more species trying to get the same resource. Signup and view all the answers

Define the competition exclusion principle.

If two species are after the same limiting factor, only one will survive. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three different types of resource partitioning?

Temporal, spatial, and morphological. Signup and view all the answers

Explain what temporal resource partitioning is.

Temporal resource partitioning is when two different species split up when they hunt for food. Signup and view all the answers

What is spatial resource partitioning?

When two organisms such as plants get their food from different areas of the habitat. Signup and view all the answers

What is morphological resource partitioning?

A difference in structure of the body that allows an organism to get food that another can't. Signup and view all the answers

Define predation.

One organism uses another organism as its prey/food. Signup and view all the answers

Compare true predators and parasites.

True predators try to kill their prey to eat. However, parasites try not to kill their prey because they depend on them. Signup and view all the answers

Why are herbivores not considered true predators?

They eat the plants but do not kill them. Signup and view all the answers

Compare pathogens and parasitoids.

Pathogens are parasites that carry a disease. Parasitoids lay eggs in their victim. When those eggs hatch, the larvae eat their host from the inside out. Signup and view all the answers

What are the types of prey defenses?

Behavioral, morphological, chemical, and mimicry. Signup and view all the answers

What is a behavioral defense?

When an animal has a special behavior that helps it survive. Signup and view all the answers

What is a morphological defense?

When the animal has a specific structure that allows them to defend themselves (camouflage). Signup and view all the answers

Compare chemical defenses and mimicry.

Chemical defenses is when the animal produces chemicals on their body or in their spit. Mimicry is when the animal has an appearance similar to the poisonous animal, but is not poisonous. Signup and view all the answers

Define symbiotic relationships.

When different species are in close proximity and they 'work together'. Signup and view all the answers

What is mutualism?

A symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit. Signup and view all the answers

How do coral reefs and algae mutually benefit?

Coral reefs provide protection and algae in turn provide food for the coral reefs. Signup and view all the answers

Define commensalism.

A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is unaffected. Signup and view all the answers

What is a keystone species?

Species that allow all other organisms to function the way that they should. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the number of keystone predators go up or down?

If it goes up, biodiversity increases. If it goes down, biodiversity decreases. Signup and view all the answers

Compare keystone species and foundation species.

Foundation species make habitats. Keystone species do this and can also increase the biodiversity. Signup and view all the answers

What is ecological succession?

Predictable change in the environment. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of ecological succession?

Primary and secondary. Signup and view all the answers

Explain primary succession.

Starts out with exposed rocks. When they start to weather, organisms that have their own food start to grow. After they grow, opportunistic weeds and then grasses start to pop up. Soon, shrubs are growing which makes way for fast growing trees. Finally a slow growing forest begins to appear. Signup and view all the answers

Explain secondary succession.

Everything is the same, but the soil and the opportunistic weeds are already in place. Therefore, that's where it starts. Signup and view all the answers

Define pioneer species.

Species that established itself in an area where nothing is growing. Signup and view all the answers

What three processes influence the numbers and types of species present?

Colonization of a new species, speciation, and losses by extinction. Signup and view all the answers

How does latitude affect species richness?

Near the equator it is warmer which allows for a longer growing season. Because of this, more autotrophs grow which increases the numbers of heterotrophs. Signup and view all the answers

How does time affect species richness?

If the time is longer, there is a greater chance of speciation. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two processes that affect species richness and form the theory of island biogeography?

Size and proximity to the colonizing source. Signup and view all the answers

What is a colonizing source?

Area that the organism came from (South American birds going to Galapagos). Signup and view all the answers

What happens if the island is bigger?

There are more habitats, more autotrophs and heterotrophs and biodiversity is greater. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Species Distribution Factors

Distribution is determined by species relationships, range of tolerance, and migration abilities.

Community Ecology

Focuses on the dynamics of species populations and their interactions within communities.

Species Interaction Categories

Major types include parasitism, mutualism, commensalism, and competition.

Competition

Occurs when multiple species vie for the same limited resources.

Competition Exclusion Principle

Predicts that if two species compete for the same resource, one will outlast the other.

Resource Partitioning Types

Three types are temporal, spatial, and morphological partitioning.

Temporal Resource Partitioning

Different species divide up their foraging times to reduce competition.

Spatial Resource Partitioning

Organisms exploit different areas for resources, such as plants accessing varying parts of a habitat.

Morphological Resource Partitioning

Differences in physical body structures enable organisms to access diverse food sources.

Predation Definition

Involves one organism consuming another for sustenance.

True Predators vs. Parasites

True predators kill their prey for food, while parasites rely on hosts for survival without immediate killing.

Herbivores

Distinct from true predators; they consume plants without killing them, allowing regrowth (e.g., cows and grass).

Pathogens vs. Parasitoids

Pathogens are disease-causing parasites, while parasitoids lay eggs in hosts, leading to host consumption.

Types of Prey Defenses

Include behavioral, morphological, chemical defenses, and mimicry strategies.

Behavioral Defense

Involves unique behaviors that help an organism avoid predation.

Morphological Defense

Features physical traits, like camouflage, which enable protection from predators.

Chemical Defenses vs. Mimicry

Chemical defenses involve producing harmful substances; mimicry involves resembling poisonous species for protection.

Symbiotic Relationships

Occur when species coexist and benefit from close interactions.

Mutualism

A type of symbiosis where both organisms gain advantages.

Coral Reefs and Algae Relationship

Coral provides shelter while algae deliver food, showcasing mutualistic interaction.

Commensalism Definition

A relationship where one species benefits while the other remains indifferent.

Keystone Species

Essential species that support ecosystem stability and biodiversity.

Impact of Keystone Species Population Changes

An increase leads to higher biodiversity, whereas a decline results in less biodiversity.

Keystone Species vs. Foundation Species

Foundation species create habitats; keystone species enhance biodiversity.

Ecological Succession Definition

Refers to predictable environmental changes over time.

Types of Ecological Succession

Divided into primary and secondary succession.

Primary Succession Process

Initiates on bare rock, progresses from pioneer species to diverse plant communities over time.

Secondary Succession Process

Occurs in previously inhabited areas, starting with existing soil and opportunistic weeds.

Pioneer Species Definition

Species that colonize barren environments first, facilitating further ecological development.

Factors Influencing Species Composition

Influence stems from new species colonization, speciation events, and extinction losses.

Latitude and Species Richness

Increased warmth near the equator fosters longer growing seasons, leading to higher autotroph populations and subsequently more heterotrophs.

Time and Species Richness Correlation

Extended time allows greater chances for speciation and species diversification.

Theory of Island Biogeography Processes

Two significant processes are island size and distance from source populations affecting species richness.

Colonizing Source Definition

The geographical area from which species originate and migrate to new locations.

Effects of Larger Islands

Larger islands support more habitats and greater biodiversity due to increased resources for autotrophs and heterotrophs.

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Description

Test your understanding of species distribution and community ecology with these flashcards from AP Environmental Science Chapter 6 Part 2. Explore key concepts such as species interactions and the factors influencing ecological communities.