Ecosystems Flashcards
(15 cards)
Niche
Role and space an organism fills in an ecosystem.
Ecological Niche
How and where an organism lives and interacts with other organisms and the abiotic environment.
Fundamental Niche
Theoretical potential use of resources for a particular species.
Realised Niche
Actual use of resources for a particular species.
Competitive Exclusion
Two species requiring the same resources cannot exist in the same niche, species can only coexist if they have different requirements.
Intraspecific Interactions
Interactions between the same species.
Interspecific Interactions
Interactions between different species.
Mutualism
Partnership between two different species where both benefit; e.g. clownfish and anemones.
Commensalism
Interaction between two species where one benefits and the other is unharmed; e.g. Animals nesting in tree hollow.
Parasitism
Interaction between two species where one benefits and the other is harmed; ticks, lice on humans.
Amensalism
Interaction between two species where one is destroyed/inhibited and other remains unaffected; e.g. vegetation is killed where waterbirds nest because they cannot tolerate the biological makeup of the birds’ feces.
Predation
Interactions between two species where one kills and the other is killed and eaten; e.g. lions and deer.
Competition
Negative interactions between two species where they both require the same resource.
Interspecific vs Intraspecific Competition
Interspecific: Competition between different species for food, territory, water.
Intraspecific: Competition between same species for mates, food, leadership.
Keystone Species
Species plays a crucial role in maintaining structure and functioning of their ecosystem; e.g. Great White shark, apex predator keeps rest of population in check.
