Ecology Final Exam - PREDATION

3 examples of interspecific exploitation interaction

1. predation

2. herbivory

3. parasitism

interspecific

interactions between individuals of different species within an ecosystem

parasitism

living as a parasite in or on another organism

3 factors promoting coexistence of predators and prey

1. time lags (delays in interactions)

2. refuges (any strategy that reduces predation risk)

3. predators switch prey (lynx may switch from a hare to a bird)

2 ways predators respond to changes in prey density

1. functional response — # of prey eaten per predator

• capture/eat more prey as they become available; above satisfied # of prey per predator becomes constant

2. numerical response — # of predators

• increased prey raises predator population

• more predators eat more prey