Interspecific Relationships and Ecosystem Dynamics

Flashcards covering key concepts related to interspecific relationships, ecosystem dynamics, and ecological models.

Competition

Both species are harmed in their interaction.

Predation

One species is harmed while the other benefits.

Commensalism

One species benefits while the other is unaffected.

Mutualism

Both species benefit from the interaction.

Lotka-Volterra Model

A model that converts interspecific competition effects into intraspecific terms using coefficients alpha (α) and beta (β).

R* (R-star)

The lowest resource level at which a species can maintain itself.

Realized Niche

The actual space and resources a species utilizes, which is smaller than its fundamental niche due to competition.

Alpha Diversity

The diversity within a single community, comparing different locations within that community.

Beta Diversity

The diversity between two different communities.

Gamma Diversity

The total diversity across multiple communities at a landscape scale.

Inducible Defenses

Defenses that are activated in response to herbivore damage, such as increasing chemical concentrations.

Top-down Control

A regulation where predator populations control prey numbers.

Bottom-up Control

A regulation where prey availability determines predator populations.

Keystone Species

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

Mimicry

A survival strategy where one species resembles another species for protection.

Aposematic Coloration

Bright coloration that signals toxicity or unpalatability to potential predators.

Facilitation (Succession)

The process by which early species in succession help establish later species.

Primary Succession

Succession that occurs on uncolonized substrates, such as bare rock.

Microparasites

Small parasites such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi that replicate inside their host.

Macroparasites

Larger organisms like worms and ticks that live in or on their host.

Red Queen Hypothesis

The idea that organisms must constantly adapt to survive against co-evolving organisms.