FINAL EXAM - Community Structures

Question 1

Community Structures

Answer 1

1. the total number of species
2. the relative abundance and distribution of those species
3. the sum of interactions along all species
4. the physical attributes of the community

Question 2

Species Richness

Answer 2

A count of how many species are present in a given community

Question 2

Species Diversity

Answer 2

A weighted measure that incorporates both the number of species & their relative abundance or evenness

Question 3

Keystones Species

Answer 3

Has a much greater impact on the distribution and abundance of the surrounding species than its abundance and biomass would suggest

Question 3

Bottom-Up Control

Answer 3

When the amount of nutrients, sunlight, water, & other abiotic factors determine the abundance of primary producers

Question 4

Top-Down Control

Answer 4

When the presence of certain consumers can also significantly increase the number of species present in a community and the abundance of each

Question 4

Trophic Cascade

Answer 4

When changes in top-down control cause conspicuous effects, two or three links away in a food web

Question 4

Climax Community

Answer 4

The final stage of the developmental progression of extensive interactions among species