Ecological Concepts and Evolutionary Principles

The video tutorial introduces the concepts of habitat and niche, explaining their differences and significance in ecology. It covers key vocabulary such as competitive exclusion principle and ecological equivalents, providing examples like dung beetles and fungi. The tutorial also discusses niche partitioning and convergent evolution, using examples of birds and dart frogs. The session concludes with a review of key concepts and encourages students to engage with the material through notes and activities.

What is the main difference between a habitat and a niche?

• A habitat includes only biotic factors, while a niche includes only abiotic factors.

• A niche includes only biotic factors, while a habitat includes only abiotic factors.

• A niche is where an organism lives, while a habitat is its role in the ecosystem.

• A habitat is where an organism lives, while a niche is its role in the ecosystem.

Which of the following best describes a habitat?

• The specific role an organism plays in its environment.

• The biotic and abiotic factors in an area where an organism lives.

• The behavior of an organism in its environment.

• The food sources available to an organism.

What are the three main components of an ecological niche?

• Food, habitat, and behavior

• Abiotic conditions, food, and behavior

• Behavior, habitat, and abiotic conditions

• Biotic conditions, habitat, and food

How does niche partitioning help species coexist?

• By eliminating competition between species.

• By dividing resources so species use them in different ways.

• By allowing species to share the same resources in the same way.

• By forcing species to evolve into different organisms.

What is the competitive exclusion principle?

• Species evolve to occupy the same niche over time.

• Species can share the same habitat without competition.

• No two species can occupy the same niche at the same time.

• Two species can occupy the same niche indefinitely.

Which of the following is an example of niche partitioning?

• Two bird species migrating to different regions.

• Two bird species feeding on the same insects in the same area.

• Two bird species evolving into one species.

• Two bird species feeding on different parts of the same tree.

What is an ecological equivalent?

• Two species that share the same habitat.

• Two species that occupy similar niches in different areas.

• Two species that occupy the same niche in the same area.

• Two species that have the same food source.

How does convergent evolution relate to ecological equivalents?

• It forces species to compete for the same resources.

• It causes species to evolve into different organisms.

• It leads to unrelated species developing similar traits.

• It results in species sharing the same habitat.

Which of the following is an example of convergent evolution?

• Two species migrating to the same region.

• Two unrelated species developing similar warning colors.

• Two related species evolving different feeding habits.

• Two species sharing the same food source.

Why might two species with similar niches have different colors?

• To blend into their environment.

• To warn predators of their toxicity.

• To attract the same prey.

• To compete for the same resources.