Lecture 10 – Predation & Herbivory

Flashcards created to review the key vocabulary related to predation and herbivory effects on ecosystems, including definitions and processes.

Predation

An interaction where one organism (predator) kills and consumes another organism (prey).

Herbivory

The act of feeding on living plants (e.g., leaves, fruits, bark).

Mesopredators

Small carnivores that primarily feed on herbivores.

Top predators

Larger predators that consume both herbivores and mesopredators.

Trophic interactions

Interactions related to the feeding relationships between organisms in an ecosystem.

Ecosystem

A community of organisms interacting with one another and their environment.

Population dynamics

The study of how and why populations change over time.

Biological control

Using predators or herbivores to manage the populations of pest species.

Lotka-Volterra model

A mathematical model that describes the dynamics of predator-prey interactions.

Functional responses

Predators' consumption rate in relation to prey density.

Numerical responses

Changes in predator population in response to the availability of prey.

Crypsis

Camouflage that allows an organism to avoid detection by predators.

Aposematism

Warning coloration that signals toxicity or danger to predators.

Co-evolution

The process where two or more species influence each other’s evolution.

Invasive species

Non-native species that significantly alter their new ecosystem.

Pollination

The process of transferring pollen from male anthers to female stigmas of plants.