Community Ecology: Ecosystem Implications

A group of interacting species within a defined geographic area.

The number of different species present in a community.

The relative abundance of different species in a community, considering how evenly distributed they are.

A measure of community diversity that combines both species richness and evenness.

The relative abundance of a species compared to other species in a community.

A measure of the number of species found in a small, local area.

A measure of the change in species composition between different habitats.

A measure of the total number of species within a larger region.

Describes the variety of species within a single community or site. It's like looking at all the different plants and animals in a small forest patch.

Measures the differences in species composition between two or more communities. It's like comparing the plants and animals in two different forest patches.

Represents the total diversity across multiple regions within a larger landscape, encompassing all the species present. It's like looking at all the different species in a vast forest.

The relationship between species diversity and community stability is complex and debated. Some argue that more diverse communities are more stable, meaning they are better able to withstand disturbances. Others suggest that stability isn't necessarily linked to diversity.

The number of different species present in a community.

The types of species present in a community and their relative abundances. It's the specific mix of species contributing to the diversity.

H’ is a mathematical index that measures the species diversity of a community, taking into account both richness and evenness.

A species that has a disproportionately large effect on the structure and function of an ecosystem, often affecting many other species.

A species that significantly modifies the environment, creating or altering habitats for other species.

The study of the interactions between species and their environment, focusing on how these interactions shape community structure and function.

The decline in the number and variety of species within a region.

The most abundant species in a community, based on either individual numbers or total biomass.

A group of species that share similar ecological roles, responses to environmental changes, or effects on ecosystems.

Species that are not native to a particular region and often have negative impacts on the native ecosystem.

Species that have been introduced to a new ecosystem and are rapidly spreading, causing negative impacts.

Species that are rare in a given ecosystem and may be at risk of extinction.

The presence of certain species can significantly influence how often and how severe disturbances like fire occur in an ecosystem.

The composition of species in an ecosystem can alter the frequency and intensity of various disturbances, not just fire. For instance, invasive species can reshape habitats and create new disturbance patterns.

Invasive species can significantly alter disturbance regimes, creating cascading effects within ecosystems. For example, invasive plants can change flood cycles, erosion rates, and even alter the distribution of other species.

The presence or absence of different species can influence the microclimate of an area, affecting factors like temperature, humidity, and light availability.

A diverse community has more species, and each species plays a unique role in the ecosystem.

The idea that more diverse communities are better able to withstand disturbances and changes in the environment.

The observation that complex communities with high species diversity are often better able to maintain their structure and function even when facing external stressors or changes.

The idea that a diverse community is usually more stable and less likely to collapse due to changes or disturbances. This is because different species function in different ways, providing various levels of resistance and resilience.