Chapter 4 Flashcards
It states that the existence, abundance and distribution of a species in an ecosystem are determined by whether the levels of one or more physical or chemical factors fall above or below the levels tolerated by other species.
Law of tolerance
This states that too much or too little of any abiotic factor can limit or prevent growth of a population of a species in an ecosystem, even if all factors are at or near the optimum range of tolerance for the species.
Limiting factor principle
This states that too much or too little of any abiotic factor can limit or prevent growth of a population of a species in an ecosystem, even if all factors are at or near the optimum range of tolerance for the species.
Limiting factor principle
Refers to the species way of life or functional role in an ecosystem.
Ecological niche or niche
The actual location where a species lives.
Habitat
The full potential of conditions and resources a species could theoretically use if there were no direct competition from other species.
Fundamental niche
Parts of the fundamental niche of a species that are actually used by that species.
Realized niche
Have narrow niches and may be able to live in only one type of habitat, tolerate only a narrow range of climatic and other environmental conditions, or use only one or few types of food.
Specialist species
Have broad niches and can live in many different places, eat a variety of foods, and tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions.
Generalist species
Species that normally live and thrive in a particular ecosystem.
Native and endemic species
Species that migrate into an ecosystem or deliberately or accidentally introduced into an ecosystem by humans.
Nonnative, alien or exotic species
Species that serve as early warnings that a community or ecosystem is being degraded.
Indicator species
Species that play roles affecting many organisms in an ecosystem.
Keystone species
Occurs when two or more organisms compete for food, space, or any other limited resource.
Competition
Two or more organisms of a single species trying to use the same limited resources in an ecosystem.
Intraspecific competition
Members of two or more species trying to use the same limited resources in an ecosystem.
Interspecific competition
Situation in which members of one species feed directly on all or part of a living organisms of another species.
Predation
A long-lasting relationship in which species live together in an intimate association.
Symbiosis
Occurs when one species (the parasite) feeds on part of another organism (the host) by living on or in the host for a significant potion of the host’s life.
Parasitism
Live inside their host.
Endoparasites
Attach themselves to the outside of their hosts
Ectoparasites
Small number of parasites that routinely kill their host as part of their life cycle
Parasitoidism
Two species involved in an symbiotic relationship interact in ways that benefit both
Mutualism
Relationship is essential for the survival of both populations
Obligatory mutualism
