Questions and Answers
What is the Principle of Competitive Exclusion?
A statement that in competition between species that seek the same ecological niche, one species survives while the other expires under a given set of environmental conditions, resulting in each species occupying a distinct niche.
What are resource partitioning and character displacement?
Resource partitioning occurs when two species coexist despite apparent competition for the same resources. Character displacement refers to the divergence of characteristics to reduce competition.
What is a food web?
A system of interlocking and interdependent food chains.
What are producers?
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What are consumers?
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What is a trophic level?
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What is an herbivore?
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What is a decomposer?
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What is interspecific competition?
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What is intraspecific competition?
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What is symbiosis (mutualism)?
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What is parasitism?
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What is an ecological niche?
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What is a fundamental niche?
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What is a realized niche?
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Study Notes
Principles of Competitive Exclusion
- Describes competition between species targeting the same ecological niche.
- One species outcompetes the other under specific environmental conditions.
- Leads to distinct niche occupation for each species.
Resource Partitioning and Character Displacement
- Resource partitioning allows coexistence of species despite competition.
- Characteristics evolve to reduce competition among species.
- Character displacement refers to the divergence of features when resources are partitioned.
Food Webs
- Represents a network of interconnected food chains.
- Illustrates interdependencies among different species within an ecosystem.
Producers
- Organisms that synthesize their own food through processes like photosynthesis.
Consumers
- Organisms that derive energy and nutrients by consuming other organisms or organic remains.
Trophic Levels
- Each distinct step within a food chain or food web.
Herbivores
- Consumers that exclusively feed on plant material.
Decomposers
- Organisms that break down dead organic matter, obtaining energy and nutrients in the process.
Interspecific Competition
- Competition among individuals of different species for the same resources in an ecosystem.
- Contrasts with interspecific cooperation, which is a form of symbiosis.
- Intraspecific competition occurs between members of the same species.
Intraspecific Competition
- Refers to competition taking place between individuals of the same species.
Symbiosis (Mutualism)
- A relationship where both involved organisms benefit from the interaction.
Parasitism
- An interaction between two different species where one organism benefits at the expense of the other.
Ecological Niche
- The total use of both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) resources by a species within its environment.
Fundamental Niche
- Represents the niche role an organism would occupy in the absence of competition from other species.
Realized Niche
- Defines the actual environment and resource access of an organism, influenced by competition and other limiting factors.
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Description
Test your knowledge with these flashcards covering key concepts from Environmental Science Week 5. This quiz includes essential terms such as the Principle of Competitive Exclusion and resource partitioning, crucial for understanding ecological relationships. Challenge yourself and reinforce your learning on these important themes in ecology.
