Community Ecology Flashcard #4

Front

What is the relationship between species A and B if species A is the prey of species B?

Back

This describes a predator-prey relationship, where species B (predator) hunts and consumes species A (prey).

Front

What is the term for all the populations in a given area?

Back

Community - it refers to a group of different species living together in a specific area.

Front

What type of symbiotic relationship is it when a bird builds a nest in a tree and the tree is neither harmed nor helped?

Back

Commensalism - a relationship where one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Front

What type of ecological succession occurs after a disturbance that does not destroy the soil?

Back

Secondary succession - it occurs in areas where a disturbance has happened but soil and some organisms still exist.

Front

Why can several species of warblers live in the same spruce tree?

Back

They occupy different niches within the tree, allowing them to coexist without competing for the same resources.

Front

What is the difference between primary and secondary succession?

Back

Primary succession occurs in lifeless areas where soil has not yet formed, while secondary succession occurs in areas where a disturbance has destroyed an existing community but left the soil intact.

Front

Define mutualism in ecological terms.

Back

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

Front

What is an ecosystem?

Back

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment.

Front

What does the term 'niche' refer to in ecology?

Back

A niche is the role or function of an organism or species within an ecosystem, including its habitat, resource use, and interactions with other organisms.

Front

What is the biosphere?

Back

The biosphere is the global sum of all ecosystems, where life exists on Earth.