Population and Community Ecology

Flashcards covering key concepts in population and community ecology.

Population

A group of individuals of the same species living in a defined geographic area.

Biological Community

An assemblage of different species living together in a particular habitat.

Demography

The study of population changes over time, including birth rates, death rates, and life expectancies.

Carrying Capacity (K)

The maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely.

Density-Dependent Factors

Factors whose effects on the population vary with population density, such as competition and predation.

Exponential Growth

The growth pattern of a population that grows without any restrictions, typically depicted as a J-shaped curve.

Logistic Growth

Growth that starts off exponentially but levels off as the population reaches its carrying capacity.

Survivorship Curves

Graphs that represent the number or proportion of individuals in a population surviving at each age.

Interspecific Competition

Competition between different species for the same resources.

Mutualism

A type of symbiotic relationship where both species benefit.

Commensalism

A type of symbiotic relationship where one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Predation

Interaction where one species (the predator) kills and eats another species (the prey).

Keystone Species

Species that have a disproportionately large effect on their environment relative to their abundance.

Ecological Niche

The sum of an organism’s use of resources in its environment, including its role in the ecosystem.

Quadrats

A method of sampling that involves dividing an area into smaller sections to study populations.

Mark and Recapture

A method used to estimate the size of a wildlife population by capturing, marking, and releasing individuals.

Community Ecology

The study of the interactions between species and the structure and dynamics of communities.

What is precipitation?

Precipitation is any form of water that falls from clouds to the Earth, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

What is condensation?

Condensation is the process by which water vapor in the air is cooled and changes into liquid water, forming clouds.

What is collection in the water cycle?

Collection refers to the accumulation of water in bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, and oceans after precipitation.

What role do plants play in the water cycle?

Plants contribute to the water cycle through transpiration, releasing water vapor into the atmosphere from their leaves.

What is runoff?

Runoff is the water from precipitation that flows over the ground and returns to oceans, rivers, and lakes.

What is evaporation?

Evaporation is the process where liquid water is converted into water vapor, contributing to the water cycle.

What is transpiration?

Transpiration is the process by which water is absorbed by plants' roots and then released as water vapor through their leaves.

What is the importance of the water cycle?

The water cycle is crucial for maintaining ecosystems, regulating climate, and supporting all forms of life.

What is the difference between weather and climate?

Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, while climate is the long-term average of weather patterns in an area.

What is groundwater?

Groundwater is water that infiltrates the soil and is stored in underground aquifers, playing a vital role in the water cycle.