Ch 13 - Species Interactions
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59 Terms
What are the three main types of species interactions?
Competition, exploitation (predation/parasitism), mutualism
What defines competition in ecology?
An interaction where both species experience a negative effect (-/-)
What is exploitation?
An interaction where one benefits and the other is harmed (+/-)
What is mutualism?
An interaction where both species benefit (+/+)
What is commensalism?
One species benefits, the other is unaffected (+/0)
What is amensalism?
One species is harmed, the other is unaffected (-/0)
What is neutralism?
Neither species is affected (0/0)
What is intraspecific competition?
Competition within the same species
What is interspecific competition?
Competition between different species
Why does competition reduce fitness?
It requires energy expenditure and reduces access to resources
What happens to competition intensity at high population density?
It increases oai_citation:0‡Biol_341_Ch13.pdf
What is self-thinning?
Reduction in population density as biomass increases due to competition oai_citation:1‡Biol_341_Ch13.pdf
What does self-thinning illustrate?
Intraspecific competition limits population size
What is the competitive exclusion principle?
Two species with identical niches cannot coexist indefinitely oai_citation:2‡Biol_341_Ch13.pdf
Why can’t identical niches coexist?
One species will outcompete the other
What is a niche?
The role and resource use of a species in its environment
What is the fundamental niche?
The full range of conditions a species could occupy
What is the realized niche?
The actual range occupied due to competition
How does competition affect niches?
It restricts species to their realized niche oai_citation:3‡Biol_341_Ch13.pdf
What is niche partitioning?
Species using resources differently to reduce competition
Give an example of niche partitioning
Wasp vs fly parasitizing different caterpillar sizes oai_citation:4‡Biol_341_Ch13.pdf
What is character displacement?
Traits diverge more in sympatry than allopatry oai_citation:5‡Biol_341_Ch13.pdf
Why does character displacement occur?
To reduce competition between species
What happens to fitness in individuals that compete less?
It increases
What is sympatric speciation?
Speciation in the same geographic area oai_citation:6‡Biol_341_Ch13.pdf
What is allopatric speciation?
Speciation due to geographic separation oai_citation:7‡Biol_341_Ch13.pdf
How can competition drive evolution?
By selecting for traits that reduce overlap
What does the beak size example demonstrate?
Natural selection and resource competition
What caused beak size changes in finches?
Availability of seed sizes during drought
What is an exclusion experiment?
Removing one species to test competition effects
What do exclusion experiments show?
Whether species limit each other’s population sizes
What happened when large rodents were removed?
Small rodent populations increased oai_citation:8‡Biol_341_Ch13.pdf
Why did insectivorous rodents not respond?
They use different resources (no competition)
What is the role of invasive species in competition?
They often outcompete native species
Why are invasive species successful?
They have competitive advantages
What is Tamarix?
An invasive shrub that outcompetes native plants oai_citation:9‡Biol_341_Ch13.pdf
How does Tamarix affect ecosystems?
Alters water availability and habitat structure
What is a phreatophyte?
A plant with deep roots accessing groundwater
Why is Tamarix problematic?
It increases water loss through transpiration oai_citation:10‡Biol_341_Ch13.pdf
What is biological control?
Using organisms to control invasive species
What must be considered before introducing a biological control?
Ecological risks and unintended effects
What is symbiosis?
Close association between species during life cycle oai_citation:11‡Biol_341_Ch13.pdf
What determines interaction outcomes?
Positive, negative, or neutral effects
What is a negative interaction?
Energy loss or injury to organisms oai_citation:12‡Biol_341_Ch13.pdf
Why does interspecific competition lead to evolution?
It favors reduced overlap traits
What is density dependence?
Population effects increase with density
What happens to survival at high density?
It decreases due to competition
What is the role of random chance in competition?
It can determine which species persists
What is resource partitioning?
Division of resources among species
How does competition influence community structure?
It determines species presence and abundance
What is the relationship between competition and adaptation?
Competition drives adaptive trait divergence
What is fitness?
Reproductive success of an organism
Why is competition considered a strong selective pressure?
It directly impacts survival and reproduction
What happens if competition is removed?
Populations often increase
What is the main takeaway of competitive exclusion?
No two species can occupy identical niches long-term
What is the difference between coexistence and exclusion?
Coexistence requires niche differentiation
What is the ecological importance of competition?
Shapes evolution, niches, and biodiversity
What happens when niches overlap too much?
Competition intensifies leading to exclusion or adaptation
What is the link between competition and speciation?
Divergence can lead to new species formation