Ch5 species, interactions, ecological, succession, and population control

Chapter 5 Objectives and Terms

Species Interactions and Ecological Succession

Objectives

1. Distinguish Among Five Species Interactions

   • Interspecific Competition: Interaction where different species compete for the same resources.

     • Example: Two bird species competing for nesting sites.

   • Predation: Interaction where one organism (predator) kills and eats another (prey).

     • Example: A lion hunting a zebra.

   • Parasitism: Interaction where one organism benefits at the expense of another.

     • Example: Ticks feeding on a mammal.

   • Mutualism: Interaction where both species benefit from the relationship.

     • Example: Bees pollinating flowers while collecting nectar.

   • Commensalism: Interaction where one organism benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

     • Example: Barnacles attaching to a whale.

2. Resource Partitioning

   • Definition: The process where similar species exploit the limited resources in an ecological niche without driving each other to extinction.

   • Why It Occurs: To minimize competition among species.

   • Consequences: Leads to biodiversity and specialization.

   • Example: Different bird species feeding on different parts of the same tree.

3. Predator and Prey Relationship

   • Relationship: Predators control prey populations while prey develop strategies to evade capture.

   • Prey Strategies: Camouflage, speed, group behavior, defensive mechanisms.

   • Predator Strategies: Ambush, stalking, adaptation of sensory skills.

4. Population Dynamics

   • Influences of Interactions: Species interactions alter population sizes and influence natural selection through co-evolution, where species adapt alongside each other.

5. Factors Influencing Population Growth

   • Death Rates: The number of deaths in a population affecting its growth.

   • Birth Rates: The number of births in a population affecting its growth.

   • Immigration and Emigration: Movement of individuals into and out of a population affecting its size.

6. Reproductive Strategies

   • K-selected Species: Species that produce fewer offspring with higher parental care (e.g., elephants).

   • r-selected Species: Species that produce many offspring with less parental care (e.g., insects).

7. Population Growth Graphs

   • J-curve: Represents exponential population growth.

   • S-curve: Represents logistic population growth, showing carrying capacity limits.

8. Ecological Succession

   • Primary Succession: Establishment of an ecosystem in lifeless conditions (e.g., after a lava flow).

   • Secondary Succession: Recovery of an ecosystem after a disturbance (e.g., after a forest fire).

Terms

• Age Structure: Distribution of individuals of different ages within a population.

• Carrying Capacity: Maximum number of individuals that an environment can sustain.

• Coevolution: Mutual influence between species evolving together.

• Commensalism: One species benefits, the other is unaffected.

• Ecological Succession: Process of change in species structure of an ecological community.

• Environmental Resistance: Factors that limit population growth.

• Inertia: Ability of an ecosystem to resist change.

• Interspecific Competition: Competition between species for resources.

• K-selected Species: Species with high parental care and fewer offspring.

• Limiting Factors: Resources that limit population growth.

• Mutualism: Both species benefit.

• Parasitism: One benefits at the expense of the other.

• Persistence: Continued existence of a species.

• Population: Group of individuals of the same species in an area.

• Population Crash: A dramatic reduction in the size of a population.

• Population Density: Number of individuals per unit area.

• Population Size: Total number of individuals within a population.

• Predation: One organism eats another.

• Predator: Organism that hunts and eats another organism.

• Predator-Prey Relationship: Interaction between predator and prey.

• Prey: Organism that is consumed by a predator.

• Primary Ecological Succession: Development of life in a previously lifeless area.

• Resource Partitioning: Division of resources among species.

• R-selected Species: Species with high reproduction rates and low survival rates.

• Range of Tolerance: Conditions under which a species can survive.

• Resilience: Ability of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances.

• Scientific Principles of Sustainability: Concepts for maintaining ecological balance.

• Secondary Ecological Succession: Recovery of ecosystems after disturbances.

• Survivorship Curve: Graph showing the number of individuals surviving at each age.