Niches and Species Competition Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions of ecological niches, specialist and generalist strategies, types of competition, and symbiotic relationships.

Niche

Includes the specific location where an organism can survive (its Habitat) and the organism’s ‘Role’ (Job) in its ecosystem.

Broad Niche

A niche characteristic of generalists who inhabit many habitats and utilize many food sources.

Generalists

Organisms such as Racoons, Rats, Cockroaches, Black Bears, and Dogs that have many food sources and inhabit many habitats.

Narrow Niche

A niche characteristic of specialists who have few (or one) food source and live in single habitats.

Specialists

Organisms such as the Koala, Panda, and Orchid Mantis that rely on a single habitat and very limited food sources.

Carrying Capacity

The number of organisms that an ecosystem can support before it begins to suffer.

INTER-species Competition

Competition for limited resources that occurs between two or more different species.

INTRA-species Competition

Competition for limited resources such as food, habitat, nesting sites, and mates that occurs within a single species.

Interdependence

A state where each species relies on another species to fulfill its needs, often through symbiotic relationships.

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship where both partners gain.

Commensalism

A symbiotic relationship where one partner gains and the other doesn’t care (is unaffected).

Parasitism

A symbiotic relationship where one partner gains and the other suffers.