Science Ecology 2

Community Ecology

Study of species composition and community stability.

Species Composition

Variety and abundance of species in a community.

Community Stability

Ability to maintain structure despite disturbances.

Ecosystem Services

Natural processes benefiting human well-being.

Biological Communities

Interacting populations within a specific area.

Ecosystems

Communities and their physical environments combined.

Community Structure

Includes species composition and feeding relationships.

Community Dynamics

Variability in species composition over time.

Interspecific Interactions

Relationships between individuals of different species.

Intraspecific Competition

Competition within a population for resources.

Interspecific Competition

Competition between different species for resources.

Mutualism

Interaction where both populations benefit.

Predation

One species kills and eats another species.

Herbivory

Consumption of plant parts by animals.

Ecological Niche

Sum of an organism's resource use.

Carrying Capacity

Maximum population size an environment can sustain.

G. F. Gause's Experiments

Demonstrated effects of interspecific competition.

Coral-Dinoflagellate Mutualism

Corals provide shelter; dinoflagellates provide energy.

Coral Bleaching

Corals expel dinoflagellates under stress.

Predator Adaptations

Prey evolve traits to avoid predation.

Camouflage

Color patterns that help prey avoid detection.

Mechanical Defenses

Physical structures protecting against herbivores.

Chemical Defenses

Toxins deterring herbivores through taste.

Monarch Butterfly Warning

Bright colors signal unpleasant taste to predators.

Plant Defenses

Structures and chemicals evolved to deter herbivores.

Natural Selection

Process influencing survival and reproductive success.

Alleles

Gene variants passed to offspring enhancing traits.

Reproductive Fitness

Success of an organism in passing genes.

Strychnine

A toxic alkaloid found in certain plants.

Morphine

An opiate used for pain relief, derived from poppy.

Nicotine

A toxic alkaloid found in tobacco plants.

Mescaline

A psychoactive compound from peyote cactus.

Tannins

Polyphenolic compounds that can deter herbivores.

Coevolution

Reciprocal evolutionary adaptations between species.

Passiflora

Genus of plants producing toxic chemicals for defense.

Heliconius

Butterfly genus that coevolves with Passiflora plants.

Mimicry

Adaptation where one species resembles another.

Parasite

An organism living on or in a host.

Internal parasites

Parasites living inside the host's body.

External parasites

Parasites that attach temporarily to hosts.

Pathogens

Disease-causing microorganisms like bacteria and fungi.

Chestnut blight

A protist-caused epidemic that devastated chestnut trees.

Trophic structure

Pattern of feeding relationships in a community.

Food chain

Sequence of energy transfer between organisms.

Autotrophs

Organisms that produce their own food.

Primary consumers

Herbivores that eat autotrophs.

Secondary consumers

Carnivores that eat primary consumers.

Tertiary consumers

Carnivores that eat secondary consumers.

Quaternary consumers

Top predators that eat tertiary consumers.

Detritus consumers

Organisms that derive energy from dead material.

Food web

Complex network of interconnected food chains.

Species richness

Number of different species in a community.

Relative abundance

Proportional representation of species in a community.

Monoculture

Cultivation of a single crop species.

Polyculture

Cultivation of multiple crop species together.

Irish potato famine

1845-1849 disaster caused by potato pathogen.

Chemical pest control

Use of chemicals to manage agricultural pests.

Genetic resistance

Plant traits that provide defense against pathogens.

Sudden oak death

Fungal disease affecting oak and other trees.

Species Diversity

Variety of different species in a community.

Relative Abundance

Proportion of each species in a community.

Pathogen

Microorganism causing disease in hosts.

Irish Potato Famine

1845-1849 crisis due to potato monoculture.

Keystone Species

Species with large impact relative to abundance.

Ecological Succession

Gradual process of community change over time.

Primary Succession

Succession starting in lifeless areas without soil.

Secondary Succession

Succession following disturbance with soil intact.

Disturbance

Event disrupting community structure and resource availability.

Invasive Species

Non-native species causing ecological harm.

Burmese Python

Invasive snake causing decline in Florida mammals.

Kudzu

Fast-growing vine invasive in southern U.S.

Zebra Mussels

Invasive molluscs from Asia affecting Great Lakes.

Ecological Community

Group of interacting species in a habitat.

Resource Competition

Struggle between species for limited resources.

Chemical Pest Control

Use of chemicals to manage pest populations.

Genetically Resistant Varieties

Plants bred to withstand specific pathogens.

Ecosystem Restoration

Efforts to return damaged ecosystems to health.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living components affecting ecosystems.

Human Activities

Actions by humans impacting ecological communities.

Natural Biotic Factors

Living components regulating species populations.

Ecological Stability

Ability of an ecosystem to maintain balance.

Species Interaction

Relationships between different species in a community.

Zebra mussels

Invasive molluscs from Asia, first found in 1988.

Ballast water

Water used in ships to maintain stability.

Gross primary production (GPP)

Total primary production in a time period.

Net primary production (NPP)

New organic material after cellular respiration.

Energy flow

Movement of energy through ecosystem components.

Chemical cycling

Transfer of matter within ecosystems.

Producers

Organisms that convert sunlight into chemical energy.

Consumers

Organisms that obtain energy by consuming others.

Decomposers

Bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter.

Energy pyramid

Illustration of energy loss through trophic levels.

Trophic levels

Hierarchical levels in a food chain.

Energy transfer efficiency

Typically 10% from one trophic level to another.

Phytoplankton

Microscopic plants that form the base of aquatic food webs.

Food chains

Linear sequences of energy transfer among organisms.

Ecosystem structure

Composition of biotic and abiotic components.

Solar energy

Energy from the sun, primary source for ecosystems.

Hydrothermal vents

Ecosystems powered by chemical energy, not sunlight.

Tropical rain forests

Highly productive ecosystems contributing 22% of NPP.