Introduction to Ecology (Marine Biology)

Flashcards defining key ecological concepts, species interactions, and trophic structures from MS Thomsen's Marine Biology lecture.

Ecology

The scientific study of the processes influencing the distribution and abundance of organisms, the interactions among organisms, and the transformation and flow of energy and matter.

Intra-specific interactions

Interactions that occur within members of the same species.

Inter-specific interactions

Interactions that occur between members of different species.

Population Doubling Time Formula

$$T2 = \frac{\ln(2)}{\ln(1+r)}$$

Competition

A direct interaction characterized by a $-/-$ relationship between two organisms, often over limiting resources like space, food, or light.

Amensalism

A direct interaction characterized by a $0/-$ relationship, often caused by chemical waste products or physical disturbances like trampling or bioturbation.

Consumption

A direct interaction characterized by a $+/-$ relationship, which includes predation, herbivory, grazing, browsing, and parasitism.

Mutualism

A direct interaction characterized by a $+/+$ relationship where both organisms benefit from the interaction.

Commensalism

A direct interaction characterized by a $+/0$ relationship, where one organism benefits (e.g., through protection or habitat) while the other is unaffected.

Hermatypic corals (Mutualism)

A mutualistic relationship where Anthozoa (coral) provide protection, stability, space, and nutrients, while Symbiodinium (Zooxanthella/dinoflagellate) provide organic carbon/food.

Anemone-fish Mutualism

The relationship between Amphiprion (fish) which provide cleaning, nutrients, and protection, and Radianthus (sea anemone) which provide protection.

Keystone Predation

A phenomenon, highlighted by Robert Paine’s 1966 sea star removal experiment, where a predator prefers to eat a strong competitor.

Indirect Interactions

Situations involving more than two species where Species 1 indirectly affects Species 3 in the presence of Species 2.

Plankton

A lifestyle classification for organisms that drift with the currents.

Nekton

A lifestyle classification for organisms that can swim against the currents.

Benthic

A lifestyle classification for organisms that live on or in the bottom environment.

Pelagic

The marine environment consisting of the water column itself.

Benthos

The marine environment consisting of the ocean floor or bottom.

Trophic Energy Loss

The principle that approximately $90\%$ of energy is lost at each successive level of the trophic structure.

CNP

An abbreviation used in nutrient cycling to represent Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphate.

Epiphytism

A form of commensalism that can sometimes be considered a +/- structural parasite relationship.