Species Distributions And Interactions Flashcards
Species Distribution
The distribution of a species is the range of places that it inhabits. The distribution can be influenced by limiting factors.
Limiting Factors
These are factors that can limit population growth and size.
Density dependent limiting factors
Related to population size:
- e.g food availability, competition, predation
Density independent limiting factors
Not related to population size:
- e.g weather/climate
Ecological Niche
A species ecological niche is the role that it fills within an ecosystem
Competitive exclusion principle
Two species can not coexist if their niches completely overlap.
One species will decline as it is out competed by the other or one will adapt to avoid competition.
Keystone Species
Keystone species have a disproportionately large effect on the communities in which they occur.
Symbiosis
The relationship where two different organisms live together in close contact.
Obligatory symbiosis
Where symbiosis is essential for life
Facultative symbiosis
Symbiosis is beneficial for at least one organism, but not essential
Commensalism
One species benefits while the other neither benefits nor is harmed
Mutualism
Both participating species benefit
Parasitism
One species benefits but the other is harmed
Predation
One species kills and consumes another organisms
Herbivory
Consumers feeding on producers
