Community and Population Ecology

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering community and population ecology concepts, species interactions, niche dynamics, and succession.

Ecological Community

All the species found within an ecosystem interacting in a variety of ways.

Biodiversity

The greatest indicator of environmental health, composed of both species richness and species abundance.

Species Richness

All the different living things in a community.

Indicator Species

A species or group of species that tells us something very specific about environmental health.

Keystone Species

A species whose niche is really impactful on the ecosystem.

Invasive Species

Species introduced by accident or on purpose that reproduce quickly, lack population control, spread rapidly, cause ecological harm, and came from elsewhere into an ecosystem they were not adapted to.

Umbrella Species

Species that, if protected, protect other species in the ecosystem.

Flagship Species

A symbol of a particular ecosystem, specifically for its conservation, that acts as an icon, ambassador, or emblem to get people to care about conservation.

Community Structure

How organisms are arranged in physical space, including density, vertical distribution, and horizontal distribution.

Community Productivity

The identification of who the producers are and the rate at which they produce, whether seasonal or year-round.

Niche Composition

The roles that organisms play in the ecosystem.

Interspecific Competition

Competition between different species.

Intraspecific Competition

Competition between members of the same species.

Interference Competition

A form of competition involving direct engagement between organisms, though not always involving fighting.

Exploitative Competition

A form of competition where there is no direct engagement and one species exploits resources over the other.

Competitive Exclusion Principle

The principle stating that if two species share significant niche overlap, competition intensity will be high to the point that one can exclude the other; if niche overlap is limited, competition intensity will also be limited.

Fundamental Niche

The niche a species can occupy based on its range of tolerance.

Realized Niche

The niche a species does occupy based on its interactions with other species.

Resource Partitioning

An evolved behavioral strategy or adaptation where two or more species with considerable niche overlap reduce competition to coexist.

Countershading

An aquatic adaptation characterized by having a white belly and a dark back.

Aposematic Coloration

Warning coloration that advertises an animal is venomous to warn off other animals.

Batesian Mimicry

An adaptation where harmless animals evolve to mimic a noxious model.

Mullerian Mimicry

An adaptation where several species evolve a similar appearance and all can deliver on the warning to stay away, thereby amplifying the message and benefiting all involved species.

Cryptic Coloration

Camouflage used by organisms.

Symbiosis

Evolved, close relationships between two species living together.

Mutualism

A symbiotic interaction ($+/+$) in which both species benefit.

Parasitism

A symbiotic interaction ($+/-$) where one species benefits to the detriment of the other.

Commensalism

A symbiotic interaction ($+/0$) where one organism benefits and the partner is neither harmed nor helped.

Ecological Succession

The way in which an ecological community responds in stages after a disturbance.

Secondary Succession

Succession that occurs when a disturbance event alters a community but a soil base and some vegetation still remain.

Primary Succession

Succession initiated by a high magnitude disturbance event leaving no vegetation or soil, which is then initiated by pioneering species.