Species Interactions and Competition
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What does the term 'niche' refer to in ecology?

  • The total number of individuals in a community.
  • The habitat in which a species resides.
  • The competition between two species for resources.
  • The role a species plays in an ecosystem. (correct)

Which aspect describes the 'realized niche' of a species?

  • The total population size of a species within an ecosystem.
  • The exclusive habitat required by a species.
  • The potential environmental conditions a species could occupy.
  • The actual environment a species inhabits considering interactions. (correct)

Which of the following statements accurately reflects the 'Rule of Ten' in ecology?

  • Ten percent of a species' population can survive in competition.
  • Ten percent of biomass is transferred to the next trophic level.
  • Approximately ten percent of energy from primary producers is available to primary consumers. (correct)
  • Only ten percent of energy is lost between each trophic level.

What is the significance of 'keystone species' in community ecology?

<p>They play a critical role in maintaining the ecosystem's structure and diversity. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Charles Elton introduce in relation to species interactions?

<p>The 'Pyramid of numbers' in ecological studies. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do otters contribute to the maintenance of kelp ecosystems?

<p>By preying on sea urchins (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'trophic cascades' in an ecosystem?

<p>Suppression in one part of the food web affecting others (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What approach is primarily used in biocontrol to manage pest species?

<p>Introducing natural predators or pathogens (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of introducing the Cactoblastis Moth to Australia?

<p>It effectively reduced Prickly Pear infestations (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence of introducing the cane toad to Australia?

<p>It resulted in ecological disaster by outcompeting native species (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of interaction occurs when both species are negatively impacted?

<p>Competition (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes herbivory?

<p>It benefits the herbivore while potentially reducing the plant's fitness. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between predation and parasitism?

<p>In predation, the predator typically kills the prey, while in parasitism, the host does not necessarily die. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do generalist species behave as they move higher in the food web?

<p>They consume a wider range of species. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'competitive exclusion' refer to?

<p>One species is better at exploiting resources leading to the other species' decline. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of positive species interaction?

<p>Mutualism (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of species interactions, what is resource partitioning?

<p>Different species using different resources to minimize competition. (D)</p> 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?

<p>Parasitism (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the interaction where one species benefits while the other is unaffected?

<p>Commensalism (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes an ecosystem engineer?

<p>A species that alters the environment to benefit other species (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are keystone species known for in an ecosystem?

<p>Playing a crucial role in maintaining the structure and diversity of their ecosystem (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is NOT a reason for shaping food webs?

<p>Aggressive competition (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do nitrogen-fixing plants play in ecological interactions?

<p>They transform nitrogen into a usable form for neighboring species (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the concept of trophic relationships important in ecology?

<p>It indicates how energy flows through an ecosystem (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the primary consequence of losing a keystone species?

<p>Disruption of ecosystem stability (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one effect of termites acting as ecosystem engineers?

<p>They contribute to soil nutrient heterogeneity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Ecological Niche

biotic and abiotic conditions required for a species to exist and the role a species plays in an ecosystem

Fundamental Niche

The range of conditions that a species could potentially occupy based on its physiological needs and tolerances.

Realized Niche

The actual range of conditions that a species occupies in its environment, taking into account factors like competition and predation.

Trophic Level

The position of an organism in a food web based on what it eats and what eats it.

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Rule of Ten

The percentage of energy that is transferred from one trophic level to the next, usually around 10%.

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Species Interactions

In ecological communities, species interact with each other creating positive, negative, or neutral relationships, leading to complex dynamics within the ecosystem.

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Predation and Herbivory

One species benefits (+), while the other is harmed (-) but not necessarily killed. This includes predators killing prey and herbivores consuming plant resources.

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Parasitism

One species, the parasite, benefits (+), while the other, the host, is harmed (-) through consumption of its resources, but not necessarily killed.

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Interspecific Competition

Both interacting species are negatively impacted (-) when competing for shared resources, such as food, space, or mates.

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Competitive Exclusion Principle

When two species compete for exactly the same resources, one species will outcompete the other, leading to the elimination of the weaker competitor from the environment.

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Resource Partitioning

Species can divide and share resources, allowing them to coexist within the same environment because their niches are slightly different.

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Mutualism

A mutually beneficial relationship (+) where both species involved benefit from the interaction. It's essential for the survival and success of both species involved.

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Facilitation

A type of species interaction where the presence of one species benefits the other, usually in close proximity, without harming itself. This benefit can be in the form of enhanced growth, survival, or reproduction. An example is nitrogen-fixing plants benefiting surrounding plants.

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Commensalism

One species benefits from another species without affecting the second species. This can be observed in cases where one species utilizes the physical structure provided by another, such as coral providing habitat for fish, without causing harm or benefiting the coral directly.

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Keystone Species

Species that significantly impact an ecosystem, playing a crucial role in shaping its function and diversity. If they were removed, it would drastically change the other species' populations.

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Ecosystem Engineer

Organisms that significantly alter the environment, creating habitats or modifying resources for other species. Their actions have major effects on ecosystem structure.

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Food Webs

The interconnected relationships of species in a community, depicting who eats whom. It is a visual portrayal of trophic levels and energy flow within an ecosystem.

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Trophic Cascade

A situation where reducing the population of one species in a food web has significant knock-on effects on other species.

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Biocontrol

Using one species to control the population of another, often a pest species.

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Biocontrol Methods

This involves finding and evaluating natural enemies of a pest, releasing them in controlled experiments, monitoring their effects, and then scaling up releases.

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Introduced Species for Biocontrol

The deliberate introduction of a species to control pest populations, sometimes with unexpected consequences.

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Biocontrol Gone Wrong

The introduction of a species can have unintended consequences, sometimes leading to the decline of native species or ecosystem disruption.

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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.

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Related Documents

Species Interactions PDF

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.

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