Ecosystems, Populations and Communities Flashcards
Biotic potential
Rate at which species reproduces with unlimited conditions
Carrying capacity
The number of species in the average population size; when the birth and death rate are relatively equal
Limiting factors
Factors within an ecosystem that affect population growth
Density-dependent factors
Limiting factors that depend on the density of the population (typically biotic factors)
Examples of density-dependent factors
- Disease
- Parasitism
-Predation
-Competition
Mutualism
A relationship between organisms that benefits all organisms involved
Commensalism
A relationship between organisms that benefits one organism while not affecting the other
Parasitism
A relationship between organisms where one organism benefits at the expense of the hosting organism
Examples of density-independent factors
- Natural disasters
- Weather patterns
- Pollution
Type I Survivorship
High probability of surviving early and middle adulthood, and then have a rapid decline later in life
Type II Survivorship
Consistent proportion of organisms dying at each life stage/interval
Type III Survivorship
High probability of death in early life, low rate of death in middle and late adulthood
r-selected species
(average age, average offspring, parenting, size)
- Short lived
- Produce a lot of offspring
- Invest little in parenting
- Typically smaller in size
k-selected species
(average age, average offspring, parenting, size)
- Longer lived
- Produce fewer offspring
- Invest a lot into parenting
- Typically larger in size
Pioneer species
The first species to inhabit an area in which no organisms currently live
