Community Ecology Quiz

Study Notes

Study of the interactions between different species living in a specific area (community)
Examines the structure, function, and dynamics of species assemblages

Species interactions: relationships between species, including predation, competition, mutualism, and commensalism
Trophic levels: hierarchical structure of species based on their feeding relationships (e.g., producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers)
Food webs: complex networks of trophic relationships between species
Niche: unique ecological role and resource use of a species
Ecological equivalent: species that occupy similar niches in different communities

Species richness: number of species present in a community
Species diversity: combination of species richness and evenness (relative abundance of each species)
Community composition: identity and relative abundance of species in a community
Succession: process of community change over time, resulting in a new community

Resource competition: competition for limited resources, such as light, water, or nutrients
Predation: interaction between predators and prey, influencing population dynamics
Disturbance: events that disrupt community structure and function, such as fires or floods
Coexistence: mechanisms that allow multiple species to coexist in a community

Conservation biology: understanding community ecology to conserve and manage ecosystems
Ecosystem management: managing ecosystems to maintain functional communities
Invasive species management: preventing and controlling non-native species that disrupt community structure
Climate change ecology: studying how community ecology is affected by climate change

Community ecology is the study of interactions between different species living in a specific area, examining the structure, function, and dynamics of species assemblages.

Species interactions include predation, competition, mutualism, and commensalism.
Trophic levels form a hierarchical structure based on feeding relationships, including producers, primary consumers, and secondary consumers.
Food webs are complex networks of trophic relationships between species.
A niche refers to the unique ecological role and resource use of a species.
Ecological equivalents are species that occupy similar niches in different communities.

Species richness is the number of species present in a community.
Species diversity combines species richness and evenness, which is the relative abundance of each species.
Community composition refers to the identity and relative abundance of species in a community.
Succession is the process of community change over time, resulting in a new community.

Resource competition occurs when species compete for limited resources like light, water, or nutrients.
Predation influences population dynamics through interactions between predators and prey.
Disturbance events, such as fires or floods, disrupt community structure and function.
Coexistence mechanisms allow multiple species to coexist in a community.

Conservation biology applies community ecology principles to conserve and manage ecosystems.
Ecosystem management involves managing ecosystems to maintain functional communities.
Invasive species management prevents and controls non-native species that disrupt community structure.
Climate change ecology studies the effects of climate change on community ecology.