Species Interactions, Ecological Succession, and Population Control

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and definitions related to species interactions, ecological succession, and population control. They are designed to help students consolidate their understanding of vital concepts for their examinations.

Southern Sea Otter

A keystone species that lives in giant kelp forests and was hunted almost to extinction, listed as endangered in 1977.

Keystone Species

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

Interspecific Competition

Competition between different species to use the same limited resources.

Competitive Exclusion Principle

States that two species cannot occupy the same niche.

Resource Partitioning

Occurs when different species evolve specialized traits that allow them to share the same resources.

Predation

An interaction where a predator feeds directly on all or part of a member of another species.

Camouflage

A method prey use to avoid predators by blending in with their environment.

Mutualism

An interaction that benefits both species involved.

Parasitism

An interaction where one species (the parasite) lives on and harms another organism (the host), but rarely kills it.

Commensalism

An interaction that benefits one species and has little effect on the other.

Ecological Succession

The gradual change in structure and species composition in a given ecosystem over time.

Primary Ecological Succession

Occurs in lifeless areas where gradual establishment of communities takes place.

Secondary Ecological Succession

Develops in areas where soil or sediment already exists, such as abandoned farmland.

Environmental Resistance

The sum of all factors that limit population growth.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population of a given species that a particular habitat can sustain indefinitely.

r-Selected Species

Species that reproduce early and have a high rate of population growth.

K-Selected Species

Species that reproduce later in life, have few offspring, and have long life spans.

Survivorship Curve

Shows the percentages of members of a population surviving at different ages.