In the Niche
the behaviors and physical characteristics that allow organisms to live successfully in their environment
adaptation
any relationship in which two species live closely together
symbiosis
the series of changes that occur in an area where no soil or organisms are
primary succession
The number and variety of different species in an ecosystem
biodiversity
Why is deforestation hurting the ecosystems?
how an organism makes it living and interacts with the biotic and abiotic factors in its habitat
niche
What are the 3 symbiotic relationships?
Commensalism, Mutualism, and Parasitism
the series of predictable changes that occur in a community over time
succession
What is a direct, economic factor of diversity?
Farmer using crops to feed his family, herbs used to create medicine that can be sold for a profit.
Give an example of the positive impact humans are making on biodiversity in ecosystems.
Conservation projects, Natural Parks, Catch and Release Breeding Programs
What two interactions happen inside a niche?
competition and predation
Give an example of commensalism.
Bird building a nest -- bird gets place to live, tree is not harmed
the first species to populate an area during succession
pioneer species
What does it mean to say an organism lives in a narrow niche?
They usually only depend on one or two resources for survival.
How are humans hurting the ecosystems through pollution?
Burning --> hurts the air (oxygen and CO2 levels)
Ocean --> kill animals, destroy habitats
Land --> destroy habitats
List an adaptation of predators and prey.
predators -- fast, sharp teeth and claws
prey -- camouflage, warning colors
Explain the relationship between a zebra and an oxpecker.
mutualism; oxpecker gets food and zebra gets cleaned of harmful parasites.
Give an example of a pioneer species.
mosses and lichen
What is a threatened species?
A species that may become endangered.
Define invasive species
species that are not native to a habitat and can out-compete native species in an ecosystem
How have animals adapted so that they don't all compete for the same limiting factors?
Feed off of different areas in the environment so that they don't need to fight.
Why are frees parasites?
They get onto a host and harm them.
Explain how a mature community forms from a pioneer species
Pioneer species grow. Animals or erosion bring seeds into the area. If the seeds grow to mature plants, new organisms will start to come into the area. Over time, more organisms will inhabit and the ecosystem will flourish.
Explain how the keystone species discussed in class impacted its environment.
What impact do the feral pigs have on their environment; why are they so "invasive?"
transfer parasites to humans or livestock, hurt the habitats in the savannah or forests