Ecology (Competition) Flashcards
(9 cards)
What are carnivores in competition for?
They compete for prey. They have to compete with their own species for their prey as well as wit different species.
What do prey organisms compete for?
Prey animals compete with each other too- to be the one that isn’t caught! Their adaptations help prevent them becoming a meal for a predator. Some contain poison.
Why are animals that eat a wide range of food more likely to be successful?
Because they avoid any competition with other species that it the same type of food. By having a range of different types of food they also no longer have to rely on a specific type of food (easier to survive).
Why was the introduction of rabbits to Australia bad for the ‘native’ ecosystem?
Because the introduction of new herbivores can drastically reduce the amount of plant material available for other animals.
Give two reasons why an animal needs to set-up and defend a
territory.
A territory is vital. It may simply be a place to build a nest, or it could be all the space needed for an animal to find food and reproduce. Most animals cannot reproduce successfully if they have no territory, so they will compete for the best spaces. This helps to make sure they will be able to find enough food for themselves and for their young.
Give two ways in which males compete for females
In some species the males fight between themselves. The winner then goes on to mate with several females. Many male animals display themselves to females to get their attention.
Abiotic resources
Plants compete for several abiotic (non-living resources ) including light, water and nutrients. Also a place to grow.
Give three examples of how plants avoid competition with each
other
Small plants found in the woodlands often grow and flower early in the year. This is when plenty of loght gets theough the bar branches of the trees. The dormant trees take very little water out of the the soil. The leavesthat shed the previous autumn have rotted down to provide mineral ions in the soil. Plants are all adapted to take advantages of these things. Thy flower, make seeds, and die back again before the trees are in full leaf.
Another way plants successfully avoid competition is by having different types of roots. Some plants have shallow roots taking water and nutrients from near the surface of the soil, while other plants have long, deeproots that go far underground.
If one plant is growing i; tyhe shade of another, it may grow taller to reach the light. It may also grow leaves with a bigger surface area to take advantage of all the light it does get. Some plants have adaptations such as tendrils or suckers that allow them to climb up artificial structures or large trees to reach the light.
Give two ways that plants spread or ‘disperse’ their seeds in
order to reduce competition between the parent plant and it’s
seedlings.
Some of the seed of plants, are easily blow away, so then when they begin to grow they aren’t in any competition with the mother plant, or each other, as they are widely spread apart by the wind.
Plants also use explosive seed pods, animals, or even water to carry their seeds as far away as possible.
