Species interactions

What is the origin of the term 'ecology'?

It originates from the Greek word 'oikos', meaning house.

Who introduced the term ecology?

Ellen Swallow Richards.

What are the two main components of an organism's environment?

Biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) environments.

What is a species?

A group of individuals capable of interbreeding and reproductively separate from others.

What is a population in ecology?

A group of individuals of a single species living close together in a time period.

What are the three classifications of species interaction effects?

Benefits (+), Harmful (-), No effects (0).

What is competition in ecological terms?

An interaction where both species are harmed, leading to decreased fitness.

What is intraspecific competition?

Competition among individuals of the same species.

What is interspecific competition?

Competition between individuals of different species.

What is a niche in ecology?

The total range of all abiotic and biotic conditions and resources used by a species.

What is the difference between fundamental and realized niche?

Fundamental niche is the potential niche, while realized niche is the actual niche occupied due to competition.

What does the Competitive Exclusion Principle state?

Complete competitors cannot coexist.

What is mutualism?

An interaction where both species benefit and have higher fitness.

What is the difference between facultative and obligate mutualism?

Facultative mutualism is beneficial but not necessary for survival; obligate mutualism is essential for survival.

What is predation?

An interaction where one organism consumes the whole body of another.

What is parasitism?

An interaction where one organism lives inside the host without consuming it.

What is commensalism?

An interaction where one species benefits while the other is unaffected.

What is amensalism?

An interaction where one species is harmed while the other is unaffected.

What is carrying capacity?

The maximum population size that an environment can support.

What is a logistic growth curve?

A growth pattern where a population grows rapidly initially and then slows as it approaches carrying capacity.

What role does resource availability play in species distribution?

Resource availability determines a species' distribution in space and time.

What is the significance of the niche of the saguaro cactus?

It consists of soil moisture, elevation, full sunlight, temperature, and presence of pollinators.

What is the impact of competition on species fitness?

Competition decreases the fitness of both competing species.

What is the role of ants in facultative mutualism?

Ants protect aphids from competitors while receiving honeydew in return.

How do corals and dinoflagellates exemplify obligate mutualism?

Corals provide protection to dinoflagellates, which in turn provide sugars through photosynthesis.

What is the ecological significance of the logistic growth curve?

It illustrates how population growth is limited by environmental carrying capacity.

What happens to a species that is a poor competitor in a competitive environment?

It may be excluded from the resources it needs to survive.