Species Interactions and Community Ecology

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts related to species interactions and community ecology, aiding in the study of ecological relationships and dynamics.

Interspecific interactions

Interactions between different species, including predation, symbiosis, and competition.

Predation

A ‘+/-’ interaction where one species benefits (predator) and the other is harmed (prey). Forms include carnivory and herbivory.

Symbiosis

An interaction between organisms of two different species that involves direct physical contact, including parasitism, mutualism, and commensalism.

Competition

A ‘-/-’ interaction occurring when two or more species rely on the same limited resource.

Competitive exclusion principle

States that two species that share the same limiting resource cannot coexist indefinitely.

Niche

The sum total of an organism’s use of resources in its environment, determining how it fits into the ecosystem.

Resource partitioning

A strategy where species divide resources among themselves to minimize competition.

Character displacement

The divergence of characteristics in sympatric populations to reduce competition.

Trophic structure

The feeding relationships in a community, including who eats whom.

Food chain

A linear representation of feeding relationships in a community, indicating who eats whom.

Food web

A more complex and realistic representation of trophic structure, showing all feeding interactions.

Primary producers

Organisms that produce energy through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, primarily plants and phytoplankton.

Trophic cascade

An indirect effect in which top predators influence lower trophic levels.

Ecosystem engineers

Species that significantly modify their environment, influencing the structure of ecological communities.

Biodiversity

The variety of all life forms, including different species, genes, and ecosystems.

Species diversity

The number of different species (richness) and their relative abundance (evenness) in a community.