Ecology Vocab

agnostic behavior

fighting within species typically connected to territories and sometimes symbolic (no fight)

biological magnification

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biomass

.

carrying capacity

maximum population size that the environment can support with no degradation of habitat = k

classical conditioning

associating something with a neutral stimulus- pavlons dogs

commensalism

(+/0) one species gains while the other is neutral. Barnacles attached to whales.

competitive exclusion

no two species can occupy the same niche at the same time.

consumer

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critcal period

point where development is crucial and certain characteristic must be learned or they are lost forever

density-dependent factor

can affect any population. Abotic features such as sunlight, temperature, and rainfall.

density-independent factor

only affects large population. Includes food supply, predators, and disease.

dominance hierarchy

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ecological niche

an organisms niche is their ecological role. (job)

ecosystem

multiple species interacting with each other in a given area

exponential growth

models ideal conditions with no limit (not common in populations). Displays changes in populations.

fixed action pattern

sequence of behaviors that are unchangeable.

Ex: red belly fish

gross primary production

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habituation

loss of response to a stimulus. Known as the cry wolf effect.

imprinting

babies attach themselves to the first thing they see at birth (usually mom)

kin selection

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kinesis

change in rate of movement (fast/slow).

k-selection

late reproduction and usually of one offspring. (Humans, elephants)

logistic growth

populations can not continue to growth exponentially

mimicry

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mutualism

(+/+) two species benefit from one another. The acacia ants and acacia tree.

net primary productivity

.

operant conditioning

positive and negative reinforcement

parasitism

(-/+) one species is benefited while the other is disadvantaged. Tape worm eating food inside of a human.

producer

.

population

number of organisms within one specific species

productivity

.

r-selection

organisms that continually mass-produce. (insects, plants)

secondary succession

.d\

sign stimulus

triggers the FAP

ex: the red belly

primary succession

.

succession

.

symbiosis

two populations interacting with each other .

taxis

change in direction, automatic movement toward or away (used when describing behavior)