Community Ecology 2

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to community ecology, including definitions and important relationships within ecosystems.

Community Ecology

Study of the interactions of multiple species with biotic and abiotic components in the environment.

Species Richness

The number of different species living in a habitat.

Species Abundance

The number of individuals of a species living in a habitat.

Foundation Species

A species that is critically important for structurally defining a community.

Keystone Species

A species important for maintaining biodiversity within a community.

Invasive Species

Non-native organisms that threaten community balance.

Succession

Sequential appearance and disappearance of species in a community over time.

Primary Succession

Colonization of newly formed land by pioneer species.

Secondary Succession

Colonization of a disturbed ecosystem by a secondary set of organisms.

Pioneer Species

First species to settle in newly created or disturbed environments.

Intermediate Species

Next species to establish and dominate following pioneer species.

Dynamics

Change in community structure over time.

Biodiversity

Measure of a community's biological complexity defined by species richness and evenness.

Competitive Exclusion Principle

States that two species competing for the same resource cannot coexist.

Resource Partitioning

The division of resources among species to minimize competition.

Apex Predator

The top predator in a community, which has no natural predators.

Symbiosis

A close and long-term biological interaction between two different biological species.

Mutualism

A type of symbiotic relationship where both species benefit.

Parasitism

A relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another.

Commensalism

A relationship where one organism benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Biotic Components

Living components of an ecosystem, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Abiotic Components

Non-living physical and chemical elements in the environment.

Animal Defense Mechanisms

Strategies that animals use to protect themselves from predators.

Camouflage

Adaptations that allow animals to avoid detection by predators.

Aposematic Coloration

Bright coloration that warns predators of toxicity or danger.

Mimicry

The resemblance of one species to another that enhances its fitness.

Trophic Interactions

Feeding dynamics and energy transfer between different levels of a food chain.