Community & Ecosystem Ecology

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What is aposematic coloration?

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Aposematic coloration is a warning coloration used by some animals to signal to predators that they are toxic or unpalatable. An example is the black and yellow bands of a wasp.

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What is commensalism?

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Commensalism is a type of symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed. An example is barnacles growing on whales.

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What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

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Decomposers break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem, which is essential for soil health and plant growth.

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What is mimicry in ecology?

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Mimicry is when one species evolves to resemble another species for protection or other advantages. An example is hoverflies mimicking bees.

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What happens to energy as it moves up a food chain?

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As energy moves up a food chain, approximately 90% is lost as heat, with only about 10% being transferred to the next trophic level.

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Define a food chain.

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A food chain is a linear sequence that shows how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another in an ecosystem, starting from producers to various levels of consumers.

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What is the difference between producers and consumers?

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Producers are organisms that create their own food through photosynthesis (e.g., plants), while consumers are organisms that obtain energy by eating other organisms.

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What is the significance of biodiversity in ecosystems?

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Biodiversity enhances ecosystem productivity, stability, and resilience, allowing ecosystems to better withstand environmental changes.

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Explain the concept of ecological niche.

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An ecological niche refers to the role and position a species has in its environment, including its habitat, resource use, and interactions with other organisms.

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What is the role of primary consumers in a food web?

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Primary consumers are herbivores that eat producers (plants) and are the second trophic level in a food web.