Ecological Niche of the American Dipper
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Questions and Answers

What defines the fundamental niche of a species?

  • The subset of conditions a species actually occupies
  • The specific geographical area inhabited by the species
  • The interactions with other species that limit its habitat
  • The full range of environmental conditions under which a species can exist (correct)

What is the primary result of niche overlap between two species?

  • Elimination of one species
  • Expansion of the habitat for both species
  • Increased population sizes for both species
  • Competition between the species (correct)

What is the term for the portion of the fundamental niche that a species actually occupies?

  • Realized niche (correct)
  • Dynamic niche
  • Optimal niche
  • Ecological niche

According to Connell’s experiments with barnacles, what happened to the distribution of Chthamalus when Balanus was removed?

<p>Chthamalus moved down the rocks (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Gause's experiment on competitive exclusion, what was the outcome when two species had overlapping niches?

<p>One species always went extinct (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes a multidimensional niche space?

<p>It includes multiple biotic and abiotic factors (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the effect of competitive exclusion on a species?

<p>It restricts the niche of competing species (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor that helps determine the interactions within an ecological community?

<p>The level of overlap in niches (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What outcome does the Competitive Exclusion Principle suggest when two species occupy the same niche?

<p>One species will outcompete the other. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes resource partitioning?

<p>Species evolve phenotypic differences to use different resources. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of resource partitioning did MacArthur study among warbler species?

<p>The variation in nesting dates and heights. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is character displacement?

<p>Phenotypic changes that reduce competition between closely related species in the same area. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to the occurrence of character displacement?

<p>High niche overlap between two sympatric species. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a fundamental niche and a realized niche?

<p>Realized niche includes resource competition effects, while fundamental niche defines overall habitat suitability. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes the role of evolutionary change in resource partitioning?

<p>It promotes phenotypic differences that help reduce competition. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which way do shorebirds partition resources?

<p>Through variation in their morphological traits and prey acquisition methods. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Competitive Exclusion Principle

Two species competing for the same limited resources cannot coexist indefinitely. One species will outcompete the other.

Niche Overlap

When two species use the same resources, their niches overlap.

Resource Partitioning

Species evolve differences in resource use, reducing competition.

Character Displacement

Resource partitioning with a specific geographic pattern. Two species with similar niches diverge in traits when they live in the same area.

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Sympatric Species

Species living in the same geographic area.

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Fundamental Niche

The full range of resources and conditions a species can theoretically use.

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Realized Niche

The actual range of resources and conditions a species uses due to competition.

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Interspecific Competition

Competition for resources between different species.

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Niche

The range of environmental conditions (biotic and abiotic) a species can survive and reproduce in.

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Connell's Barnacles

Two barnacle species, Balanus and Chthamalus, with different fundamental but overlapping realized niches.

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What is the effect of removing Balanus?

The distribution of Chthamalus moved down the rocks, suggesting Balanus was limiting its realized niche.

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What is the effect of removing Chthamalus?

The distribution of Balanus remained the same, suggesting Chthamalus did not limit its realized niche.

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Ecological Niche

The complete set of environmental conditions (both biotic and abiotic) where a species can survive, reproduce, and interact with other species.

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What does a species' niche determine?

It determines how a species interacts with other species within its community.

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What are some factors affecting an ecological niche?

These factors include but are not limited to: time of day active, prey availability, soil chemistry, water presence, pH, salinity, temperature range, precipitation, humidity, elevation, vegetation type, predators, parasites, prey, hosts, shelter, nesting sites, and nesting materials.

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Habitat

A geographic area or region with specific abiotic and biotic characteristics where organisms live.

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How is ecological niche NOT a location?

Ecological niche describes the conditions a species requires, not just the physical space it occupies. This is distinct from habitat, which is the physical location.

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Hutchinson's Niche Concept

A mathematical model of niche that represents it as an 'n-dimensional hypervolume'. Each dimension represents an environmental factor (like temperature, elevation, or latitude), and the organism can exist wherever all factors fall within its niche space.

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What does a species' niche space represent?

It represents the set of conditions and resources that are suitable for a species to thrive. Within its niche space, the species can survive, reproduce, and interact with other organisms.

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What happens if ranges of temperature and food availability fall within a species' niche space?

The conditions are suitable for the species, indicating that it can survive and thrive in this environment.

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Study Notes

Ecological Niche

  • A species' ecological niche encompasses the complete range of environmental conditions (biotic and abiotic) within which a species can survive.
  • Species interactions are influenced by their unique ecological niches.
  • Niches are affected by numerous factors, including abiotic factors (e.g., temperature, rainfall) and biotic factors (e.g., predator-prey relationships, competition).
  • Architectural niches are recesses or cavities in walls, typically used to house statues, vases, etc.

Niche Characteristics of the American Dipper

  • Their environment consists of fast-flowing mountain streams.
  • The streams feature cascades, riffles, and are unpolluted.
  • Streambeds are composed of cobbles or coarse gravel.
  • Midstream or streamside boulders are present along with large woody debris.
  • Waterways are ice-free during winter.
  • Various creatures like aquatic insects, insect larvae, small fish, and fish eggs are present.
  • They prefer vertical surfaces along stream banks.
  • Moss presence is common in their environment

Niche is not a Habitat

  • A habitat is a geographic area or region with specific abiotic and biotic characteristics where organisms reside.
  • An ecological niche is the role a species plays in an ecosystem, not its location.

Hutchinson's Niche Concept

  • Niche is described as an n-dimensional hypervolume.
  • The dimension refers to factors represented as axes on a graph.
  • The hypothetical number (n) of factors defines a species' niche.

Species' Niche

  • A species' niche is a set of conditions and resources essential for survival.
  • An example niche is a hypothetical species defined by temperature and food availability, where a suitable combination of temperature and food availability yields a suitable niche.

Fundamental vs. Realized Niche

  • The fundamental niche encompasses the full range of conditions where a species can survive.
  • The realized niche is limited by coexisting species, implying the actual range a species occupies.

Connell's Barnacles

  • Chthamalus and Balanus are two barnacle species that inhabit a rocky intertidal ecosystem.
  • Connell's experiments revealed that the distribution of Chthamalus was affected by the presence of Balanus, while the distribution of Balanus was not affected by the presence of Chthamalus.

Competitive Exclusion

  • When two species have overlapping niches, one often goes extinct due to competition for limited resources.
  • This principle illustrates how competition shapes species interactions in a community.

Resource Partitioning

  • An alternative outcome to competition is resource partitioning, where competing species evolve differences that allow them to use different resources.
  • This can manifest as differences in morphology or behavior.
  • Shorebirds, for instance, demonstrate resource partitioning with differing beak shapes and sizes for capturing different prey items.

Warbler Resource Partitioning

  • MacArthur observed feeding and nesting behaviors of similar warbler species.

Character Displacement

  • Character displacement is a special case of resource partitioning, particularly prevalent in sympatric species (those that coexist in the same geographic area).
  • This is illustrated in the case of Darwin's finches in the Galapagos Islands, with distinct beak sizes signifying a resource partitioning effect.

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Description

Explore the ecological niche of the American Dipper, focusing on the environmental conditions essential for its survival. This quiz examines the influence of biotic and abiotic factors in their habitat, specifically in fast-flowing mountain streams. Understand the interactions within their unique ecological niche and discover the characteristics that define their environment.

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