Community Ecology

Community Ecology

The ecological study focused on a community, which includes all organisms occupying the same geographic area.

Community

All organisms occupying the same geographic area that can interact.

Lyme disease

An illness caused by the bacterium Borrelia, transmitted by ticks.

Species Composition

The species constituting a community.

Species Richness

The number of species per unit of habitat area; a specific measure of species diversity.

Population Density

The number of individuals of a species per unit of land area; a measure of species abundance.

Community Resiliency

The ability of a community to withstand environmental changes, often influenced by species diversity.

Commensalism

A symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits while the other is unaffected.

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship in which both organisms benefit.

Competition

A biological interaction where individuals of two species compete for the same resources, negatively affecting each other.

Consumption

Predation or herbivory where one organism benefits by consuming another, which is harmed or killed.

Ecological Succession

The process of change in the species structure of an ecological community over time.

Pioneer Stage

The initial stage of ecological succession characterized by non-woody plants and low species richness.

Intermediate Stage

A stage in ecological succession where shrubs and small trees dominate and species richness is high and increasing.

Climax Stage

The final stage of ecological succession characterized by a stable community of tall trees and potentially declining species richness.

Forest Fragmentation

The disruption of a forest area leading to isolated patches, which may increase disease risk, like Lyme disease.

Regional Species Pool

The total number of species that can potentially inhabit a particular region.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living chemical and physical components of the environment that affect species richness.

Biotic Factors

Living components of the environment, including species interactions that influence species richness.

Keystone Species

A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment compared to its abundance, like the gray wolf in Yellowstone.

Sustainable Resource Use

Using resources in a way that maintains species diversity and community resiliency over time.