Ecology Key Terms and Relationships

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Questions and Answers

How does the population of snowshoe hares affect the Canadian lynx population?

An increase in the snowshoe hare population leads to a higher Canadian lynx population due to more available food.

Explain the role of intraspecific competition in regulating predator populations.

Intraspecific competition occurs when predators compete for limited resources, leading to a decline in their population as prey becomes scarce.

Describe how trophic levels are affected by changes in predator-prey dynamics.

An increase in prey populations can elevate the predator population, affecting the energy transfer across trophic levels and potentially destabilizing the ecosystem.

What is the impact of over-hunting on predator-prey relationships?

Over-hunting can lead to decreased predator numbers, allowing prey populations to increase, which can then lead to subsequent increases in predator populations. Signup and view all the answers

How do producers and consumers interact within an ecosystem in the context of predator-prey relationships?

Producers create the energy base for the ecosystem, while consumers, including both predators and prey, depend on this energy, forming a complex web of interdependencies. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between interspecific and intraspecific competition?

Interspecific competition occurs between different species, while intraspecific competition occurs among individuals of the same species. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the role of producers in an ecosystem.

Producers, such as plants and algae, convert light energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of food chains. Signup and view all the answers

Identify one factor that might limit plant competition for resources in an ecosystem.

One limiting factor could be the availability of sunlight, which is essential for photosynthesis. Signup and view all the answers

Explain what a trophic level represents in a food chain.

A trophic level represents the position an organism occupies in the food chain, based on its role in energy transfer. Signup and view all the answers

How do predator-prey dynamics influence population sizes within an ecosystem?

Predator-prey dynamics regulate the population sizes by keeping prey populations in check, which can prevent overgrazing and maintain balance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and supporting nutrient cycling. Signup and view all the answers

Differentiate between herbivores and carnivores in terms of their dietary habits.

Herbivores primarily consume plants, while carnivores primarily eat other animals. Signup and view all the answers

Define interspecific competition and provide an example.

Interspecific competition is the competition between different species for the same resources, such as food or habitat. An example is lions and hyenas competing for prey. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes intraspecific competition from interspecific competition?

Intraspecific competition occurs between members of the same species, while interspecific competition occurs between different species. An example of intraspecific competition is two squirrels competing for the same tree. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of trophic levels in an ecosystem.

Trophic levels refer to the hierarchical positions of organisms in a food chain, categorizing them as producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and so on. Each level represents a different stage of energy transfer within the ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

What role do producers play in a food chain?

Producers, or autotrophs, are organisms that create their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain. They are essential as they supply energy and nutrients to all other trophic levels. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how predator-prey dynamics can affect population levels.

Predator-prey dynamics demonstrate that as the prey population increases, the predator population also rises due to ample food sources. Conversely, if the prey population declines, the predator population may decrease due to food shortage. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of detritivores in an ecosystem?

Detritivores play a crucial role in decomposing organic matter and recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. By breaking down detritus, they help maintain soil health and promote plant growth. Signup and view all the answers

Identify and describe one structural feature that assists predators in hunting.

The claws of big cats are a structural feature that aids in hunting by allowing them to grip and capture prey effectively. This adaptation enhances their ability to bring down larger animals. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the population levels of predators and prey are interconnected.

The population levels of predators and prey are interconnected as predators rely on prey as a food source; fluctuations in prey populations directly affect predator survival and reproduction. This interdependence can create cyclical patterns. Signup and view all the answers

What are decomposers, and why are they vital to an ecosystem?

Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, break down dead organic matter and recycle nutrients, making them vital for ecosystem health. They facilitate nutrient cycling, which supports the growth of producers. Signup and view all the answers

How do omnivores contribute to ecosystem stability?

Omnivores contribute to ecosystem stability by consuming both plant and animal matter, allowing them to occupy multiple trophic levels. This flexibility helps balance food webs and supports various species within the ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ecology Key Terms

Biosphere: The living world (parts of the earth where life is found)
Ecosystem: A distinct self-supporting system of organisms interacting with each other (biotic factors) and with the physical environment (abiotic factors)
Habitat: Place where specific organisms live.
Population: All of the organisms of a particular species found in an ecosystem at any one time.
Community: The populations of all species found in a particular ecosystem at any one time.

Ecological Relationships - Competition

Interspecific competition (between members of different species)
Intraspecific competition (between members of the same species)
Plants compete for: light, water, minerals (nutrients), and space
Animals compete for: food, water, mates, territory

Ecological Relationships - Producers, Consumers, & Decomposers

Producers (autotrophs): Organisms that can photosynthesize (convert light energy into chemical energy, e.g., sugars). They ‘make their own food' and do not need to eat
Consumers (heterotrophs): Organisms that need to eat other organisms to obtain food and energy.
- Carnivores: Consumers that eat other animals
- Herbivores: Consumers that eat only plants
- Omnivores: Consumers that eat both plants and animals
Detritivores: Heterotrophs that obtain nutrients from non-living sources, such as detritus and humus.
- Detritus: Dead particulate organic matter (decaying organic material and faecal matter)
- Humus: Decomposing leaf litter mixed with topsoil
Decomposers: Bacteria and fungi that release enzymes to digest food externally and then absorb the small products of digestion.

Predator - Prey Relationships

Predation: A biological interaction where one organism (predator) hunts, kills, and feeds on another organism (prey)
Prey population fluctuations influence Predator populations and vice versa.
- High prey population leads to increased predator population.
- Increased predator population leads to decreased prey population.
- Decreased prey population leads to decreased predator population.
- Decreased predator population leads to increased prey population.
The cyclical nature of predator-prey relationships is shown in the example of the Canadian Lynx (predator) and the Snowshoe Hare (prey).

Predator Adaptations

Predators have features that allow them to hunt effectively, such as:
- Web-building ability (spiders)
- Claws and canine teeth (big cats)
- Heat-sensitive pits (pythons)
- Poison glands (snakes)
- Visual acuity (eagles)
- Cooperative hunting (dolphins)

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Description

Test your knowledge on key ecological terms and relationships. This quiz covers essential concepts such as ecosystems, habitats, and the interactions between different species. Understand the dynamics of producers, consumers, and decomposers within ecological systems.