Questions and Answers
What is the term used to describe the identity of species present in a community?
Which of the following factors can lead to variation in community structure?
What is the term used to describe the range of ecological roles in a community?
What is the process of change in community composition over time in response to disturbances or environmental changes?
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What can influence biodiversity in a community?
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What is the term used to describe the organization and arrangement of species within a community?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a community?
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What can lead to the development of new ecosystems or habitats?
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What refers to the proportion of individuals of each species in a community?
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Which of the following can be described by species abundance distributions?
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Study Notes
Characteristics of a Community
- A group of species that co-occur in space and time
- Interact with each other through various mechanisms (e.g., competition, predation, mutualism)
- Can be characterized by:
- Species richness (number of species present)
- Species composition (identity of species present)
- Relative abundance (proportion of individuals of each species)
Community Structure
- Refers to the organization and arrangement of species within a community
- Can be described by:
- Species abundance distributions (e.g., evenness, dominance)
- Spatial patterns (e.g., patchiness, aggregation)
- Trophic structure (e.g., food webs, predator-prey relationships)
Variation in Community Structure
- Communities can vary in structure due to:
- Environmental factors (e.g., climate, topography, disturbance)
- Historical factors (e.g., colonization, extinction)
- Spatial factors (e.g., isolation, connectivity)
- This variation can lead to different community types or "assemblages"
Community Structure and Diversity
- Community structure can influence biodiversity:
- Species diversity (number of species present)
- Functional diversity (range of ecological roles)
- Genetic diversity (variability within and among species)
- Diversity can, in turn, affect community structure:
- Through processes such as niche partitioning and facilitation
Ecological Succession
- The process of change in community composition over time
- Can occur in response to:
- Disturbances (e.g., fire, flooding)
- Environmental changes (e.g., climate shift, soil degradation)
- Succession can lead to:
- Changes in species composition and abundance
- Shifts in community structure and function
- Development of new ecosystems or habitats
Characteristics of a Community
- A community consists of a group of species that co-occur in space and time.
- Species within a community interact with each other through mechanisms such as competition, predation, and mutualism.
- Communities are characterized by species richness, species composition, and relative abundance.
Community Structure
- Community structure refers to the organization and arrangement of species within a community.
- Species abundance distributions, such as evenness and dominance, describe community structure.
- Spatial patterns, like patchiness and aggregation, are also used to describe community structure.
- Trophic structure, including food webs and predator-prey relationships, is another aspect of community structure.
Variation in Community Structure
- Environmental factors, such as climate, topography, and disturbance, contribute to variation in community structure.
- Historical factors, like colonization and extinction, influence community structure.
- Spatial factors, including isolation and connectivity, affect community structure.
- These variations result in different community types or assemblages.
Community Structure and Diversity
- Community structure influences biodiversity, including species diversity, functional diversity, and genetic diversity.
- Diversity, in turn, affects community structure through processes such as niche partitioning and facilitation.
Ecological Succession
- Ecological succession is the process of change in community composition over time.
- Succession occurs in response to disturbances, environmental changes, climate shifts, and soil degradation.
- This process leads to changes in species composition and abundance, shifts in community structure and function, and the development of new ecosystems or habitats.
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Description
Learn about the key features of a community in ecology, including species richness, composition, and relative abundance. Discover how community structure is organized and arranged.
