Population & Community Ecology Review

Front

What is competitive exclusion?

Back

Competitive exclusion is a principle stating that two species competing for the same resources cannot coexist at constant population values. One species will outcompete the other, leading to the extinction of the less competitive species.

Front

What is a keystone species?

Back

A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance. Its presence is crucial for maintaining the structure of an ecological community.

Front

What defines a community in ecology?

Back

A community in ecology is defined as a group of different species living in the same area at the same time, interacting with each other.

Front

What is predation?

Back

Predation is the biological interaction where one organism, the predator, hunts, captures, kills, and eats another organism, the prey.

Front

What does it mean for species A to be the prey of species B?

Back

It means that species A is hunted and consumed by species B, indicating a predator-prey relationship.

Front

What is intraspecific competition?

Back

Intraspecific competition is competition between individuals of the same species for limited resources such as food, space, or mates.

Front

What is interspecific competition?

Back

Interspecific competition is competition between individuals of different species for the same resources in an ecosystem.

Front

What is herbivory?

Back

Herbivory is the act of eating plants or plant parts by animals, which can affect plant populations and community structure.

Front

What is mutualism?

Back

Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship where both species benefit from the interaction.

Front

What is parasitism?

Back

Parasitism is a relationship where one organism (the parasite) benefits at the expense of another organism (the host), often harming it.