Chapter 54: Community Ecology

3 broad categories of ecological interactions

competition (- / -), exploitation (+ / -), herbivory (+ / -)

competition ( - / - )

occurs when individuals of different species use a resource that limits survival and reproduction of both individuals

exploitation ( + / - )

refers to any interaction in which individuals of one species benefit by feeding on individuals of the other species (which are harmed)

herbivory ( + / - )

refers to an interaction in which an herbivore eats parts of a plant or alga

Batesian mimicry

a palatable or harmless species mimics an unpalatable or harmful model

Mullerian mimicry

two or more unpalatable species resemble each other

parasitism ( + / - )

type of exploitation; one organism (the parasite)derives nourishment from another organism (the host) which is harmed in the process

mutualism ( + / + )

a common interspecific interaction that benefits individuals of both species

commensalism ( + / 0 )

an interaction in which individuals of one species benefits while members of the other species is neither harmed nor helped

dominant species

species that are the most abundant by biomass (total mass of all organisms)

keystone species

species that have a disproportionately large effect on their community relative to their abundance; not necessarily the most numerous, but play a critical role in maintaining ecosystem balance

ecological succession

the pattern of colonization and species replacement that occur sin a community following a severe disturbance

primary succession

when ecological succession begins in a virtually lifeless area (STARTS WITH JUST ROCK)

secondary succession

when ecological succession begin in an area with some organisms left (STARTS WITH SOIL)

zoonotic disease

disease transferred to humans from other animals

ex: Lyme disease, Avian flu, H5N1