Community Interactions

Front

What is a niche in an ecosystem?

Back

A niche is the function that an organism performs in the food web of that community, including everything else the organism does and needs in its environment.

Front

What happens to other herbivores if the population of deer increases significantly?

Back

Other herbivores may starve and die out due to increased competition for resources.

Front

How does an increase in available food or resources affect an animal's carrying capacity?

Back

The carrying capacity for an animal increases.

Front

What occurs when a population exceeds the ecosystem's carrying capacity?

Back

The population starts to die off to return to carrying capacity.

Front

What is the definition of carrying capacity?

Back

Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support.

Front

Give an example of a niche for a squirrel.

Back

A squirrel's niche includes staying busy storing nuts and seeds for winter.

Front

What is the relationship between predator and prey populations?

Back

As prey populations increase, predator populations may also increase due to more available food.

Front

What is the impact of habitat destruction on community interactions?

Back

Habitat destruction can lead to loss of species, decreased biodiversity, and disrupted community interactions.

Front

Define competition in an ecological context.

Back

Competition occurs when two or more species or individuals vie for the same resources in an ecosystem.

Front

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers help break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients back into the soil.