Community Ecology

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

What is the term used to describe a species' way of life in a community?

Ecological habitat

Ecological niche (correct)

Species role

Environmental adaptation

What is the main difference between a generalist species and a specialist species?

Generalist species have broad niches, while specialist species have narrow niches (correct)

Generalist species are carnivores, while specialist species are herbivores

Generalist species are larger, while specialist species are smaller

Generalist species have narrow niches, while specialist species have broad niches

What is the term used to describe the place where a species lives?

Environmental adaptation

Species role

Ecological niche

Ecological habitat (correct)

What is the role of a species that can live in many different places and eat a variety of foods?

Generalist species Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of specialist species having narrow niches?

They are more prone to extinction when environmental conditions change Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the roles that a species plays in an ecosystem?

Species role Signup and view all the answers

What are the two components of species diversity in a community?

Species richness and species evenness Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a biologically diverse community like a tropical rain forest or a coral reef?

High species richness and low species evenness Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of high species richness in an ecosystem?

The ecosystem is more productive and more sustainable Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between species diversity and ecosystem stability?

Higher species diversity leads to higher ecosystem stability Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between species richness and species evenness?

Species richness is the number of different species, while species evenness is the proportion of each species Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to study species diversity in community ecology?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that determines the abundance of organisms at each trophic level in bottom-up control?

Nutrient supply Signup and view all the answers

What type of species exert a disproportionate influence on community structure despite being less abundant?

Keystone species Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the large or abundant members of a community that provide food or habitat?

Foundation species Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a chain of organisms that are linked by predator-prey relationships?

Food chain Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a complex network of food chains?

Food web Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for species that influence community structure through their effects on the physical environment?

Ecosystem engineers Signup and view all the answers