Community Ecology

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key vocabulary terms and definitions related to community ecology.

Species Diversity

The variety of species in a given area, encompassing both species richness and relative abundance.

Species Richness

The number of different species present in a community.

Relative Abundance

The proportion of each species relative to the total number of individuals in the community.

Community Stability

The ability of a community to resist disturbance or to rebound after a disturbance.

Ecological Succession

The gradual, directional change in the species composition of a community over time.

Primary Succession

Succession occurring in an area where no life existed previously, such as a lava flow or bare rock.

Secondary Succession

Succession occurring in a previously inhabited area that experienced a disturbance, like a fire or flood.

Pioneer Species

Species that first colonize previously disturbed or disrupted habitats.

Climax Community

A stable and mature community that undergoes little change in species composition.

Keystone Species

A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance.

Pollination

The transfer of pollen from the male parts to the female parts of flowers, which is essential for fertilization.

Mutualism

A type of species interaction where both species benefit.

Commensalism

A relationship between two species where one benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Predation

Interaction where one species (predator) kills and eats another species (prey).

Parasitism

A symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits at the expense of another.

Competition

An interaction between organisms where they compete for the same resources.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Ecosystem Services

The benefits that humans derive from ecosystem functions, including clean water, pollination, and nutrient cycling.

Species Interactions

The various ways in which different species within a community interact with one another.

Disturbance

An event that changes a community by removing organisms or altering resource availability.

Succession Stages

The different phases in the process of ecological succession, including early, mid, and late stages.

Competitive Exclusion Principle

The principle stating that two species competing for the same resources cannot coexist.

Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)

A phenomenon where bee colonies suddenly die off, impacting pollination and ecosystem health.

Opportunistic Species

Species that thrive in early successional stages, characterized by quick maturation and high reproduction rates.

Equilibrium Species

Species that dominate late successional stages, usually characterized by slow maturation and few offspring.

Pollinator

Organisms, such as bees, that assist in the transfer of pollen between flowers.

Endangered Species

Species that are at risk of extinction due to a variety of threats.

Ecotourism

Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.

Niche

The role or function of an organism or species within an ecosystem.

Egrets and Cattle

An example of commensalism where egrets feed on insects stirred up by grazing cattle.

Coevolution

The process where two or more species influence each other's evolution.

Life History Traits

Characteristics of organisms that influence their reproductive strategies and survival.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that spread widely and cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health.

Habitat Fragmentation

The process where large habitats are broken into smaller, isolated patches.

Nectar

A sweet liquid produced by flowers to attract pollinators.

Stamen

The male reproductive organ of flowering plants, consisting of the anther and filament.

Pistil

The female reproductive organ of flowering plants, consisting of the stigma, style, and ovary.

Climatic Conditions

The long-term state of weather in a particular area that influences ecological patterns.

Ecosystem Health

The measure of the condition of an ecosystem based on the biodiversity and functioning of its natural systems.

Resource Partitioning

The division of scarce resources by species to help avoid competition.

Community Characteristics

The various features of a community that influence its structure, including species diversity, richness, and interactions.

Nutrient Cycling

The movement of nutrients through the environment and the living organisms within it.

Flower Morphology

The study of the structure and form of flowers and how these structures relate to their functions.