Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does the term 'niche' refer to in ecology?
What does the term 'niche' refer to in ecology?
Which aspect describes the 'realized niche' of a species?
Which aspect describes the 'realized niche' of a species?
Which of the following statements accurately reflects the 'Rule of Ten' in ecology?
Which of the following statements accurately reflects the 'Rule of Ten' in ecology?
What is the significance of 'keystone species' in community ecology?
What is the significance of 'keystone species' in community ecology?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Charles Elton introduce in relation to species interactions?
What did Charles Elton introduce in relation to species interactions?
Signup and view all the answers
How do otters contribute to the maintenance of kelp ecosystems?
How do otters contribute to the maintenance of kelp ecosystems?
Signup and view all the answers
What is meant by 'trophic cascades' in an ecosystem?
What is meant by 'trophic cascades' in an ecosystem?
Signup and view all the answers
What approach is primarily used in biocontrol to manage pest species?
What approach is primarily used in biocontrol to manage pest species?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the outcome of introducing the Cactoblastis Moth to Australia?
What was the outcome of introducing the Cactoblastis Moth to Australia?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a consequence of introducing the cane toad to Australia?
What was a consequence of introducing the cane toad to Australia?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of interaction occurs when both species are negatively impacted?
What type of interaction occurs when both species are negatively impacted?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement best describes herbivory?
Which statement best describes herbivory?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary difference between predation and parasitism?
What is the primary difference between predation and parasitism?
Signup and view all the answers
How do generalist species behave as they move higher in the food web?
How do generalist species behave as they move higher in the food web?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the term 'competitive exclusion' refer to?
What does the term 'competitive exclusion' refer to?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is an example of positive species interaction?
Which of the following is an example of positive species interaction?
Signup and view all the answers
In the context of species interactions, what is resource partitioning?
In the context of species interactions, what is resource partitioning?
Signup and view all the answers
Which interaction is characterized by one organism benefiting while the other is harmed, yet the harmed organism remains alive?
Which interaction is characterized by one organism benefiting while the other is harmed, yet the harmed organism remains alive?
Signup and view all the answers
What term describes the interaction where one species benefits while the other is unaffected?
What term describes the interaction where one species benefits while the other is unaffected?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following best describes an ecosystem engineer?
Which of the following best describes an ecosystem engineer?
Signup and view all the answers
What are keystone species known for in an ecosystem?
What are keystone species known for in an ecosystem?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following factors is NOT a reason for shaping food webs?
Which of the following factors is NOT a reason for shaping food webs?
Signup and view all the answers
What role do nitrogen-fixing plants play in ecological interactions?
What role do nitrogen-fixing plants play in ecological interactions?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is the concept of trophic relationships important in ecology?
Why is the concept of trophic relationships important in ecology?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is the primary consequence of losing a keystone species?
Which of the following is the primary consequence of losing a keystone species?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one effect of termites acting as ecosystem engineers?
What is one effect of termites acting as ecosystem engineers?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Species Interactions
- Species interactions can be negative, positive, or neutral.
- In some interactions, both species are negatively impacted or use energy.
- Predation and herbivory are examples of (+/-) interactions. Predators typically kill prey. Herbivory, while not always deadly, can reduce a plant's fitness (growth and reproduction).
- Predator preferences are often related to prey proportions in the environment.
Parasitism
- Parasitism is a (+/-) interaction. A parasite consumes part or all of a host, but the host does not always die.
- Examples include malaria, parasitic wasps, lice, leeches, and mistletoe.
Competition
- Competition is a (-/-) interaction, meaning both species suffer.
- Competition occurs when species share limited resources. This can involve both biotic and abiotic resources.
- Exploitation competition happens through the shared resources. Interference competition is when one species restricts access.
Competitive Exclusion
- Niche is defined by the biotic and abiotic conditions required for a species to exist, and its role within an ecosystem.
- Some species are better at utilizing resources than others through competitive exclusion.
- Resource partitioning prevents competitive exclusion as species occupy different niches.
Mutualism
- Mutualism is a (+/+) interaction. The relationship is beneficial to both species.
- Seed dispersal and pollination are examples.
- Mitochondria is an example of mutualism at the cellular level.
Commensalism
- Commensalism is a (+/0) interaction. One species benefits while the other isn't affected.
- Coral and other associated species, trees providing habitat are examples.
- Ecosystem engineers are species that influence their surroundings for the benefit of other species.
Facilitation
- Facilitation is an interaction in which one species benefits from the presence and altered environment of another.
- Nitrogen fixing plants in close proximity to other plants illustrate this interaction.
Food Webs
- Food webs are a complex network of organisms depicting their interactions of who eats whom.
- Food webs are formed from species relationships and can be more complex than the trophic "pyramid" model. Trophic pyramids show biomass, energy, and structure, but cannot show all the interactions.
- A range of interacting factors impact food web structures. Biogeography, climate, host plant range, environmental stability, and species population dynamics have substantial influence.
Keystone Species
- Keystone species are those with a disproportionate impact on their ecosystem. Their presence or absence dramatically affects the ecosystem's structure and diversity.
- Removal or addition of keystone species greatly alters the food web and the species present.
- Examples include sea stars, sea otters.
Trophic Pyramid
- Trophic pyramids show the flow of energy and or biomass.
- Lindemann, 1942, introduced trophic pyramids.
- The Cedar Bog Lake system served as an example system, illustrating the flow of energy among trophic levels and including biotic and abiotic pathways.
- The "rule of ten" highlights that only about 10% of energy is transferred between trophic levels.
Biocontrol
- Biocontrol involves using species interactions to control pest species or invasive species.
- Natural enemies (predators, pathogens) are introduced to a habitat to control pest populations.
Biocontrol Methods
- Finding and evaluating a range of natural enemies is critical.
- Small-scale experiments precede large-scale releases.
- Monitoring is important to track the impacts of introduced species on the ecosystem.
Success Stories and Disasters
- The introduction of the Cactoblastis Moth to control prickly pear in Australia is a successful biocontrol example.
- The introduction of the cane toad to Australia to control cane beetles was an ecological disaster.
How to Control Species Interactions
- There are many more examples of successful and unsuccessful species interaction control efforts.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Explore the dynamics of species interactions including predation, parasitism, and competition. This quiz covers various types of interactions and their impacts on species fitness. Test your understanding of ecological relationships and competitive exclusion principles.
