Interactions in Ecosystems
When one animal hunts and kills another animal
what is predation?
Tiny pseudoscorpions hitchhike on larger insects to get from place to place. The insect is not harmed, but pseudoscorpions would not be able to travel
what is commensalism?
is the series of changes that occur in an area where the ecosystem has been disturbed, but where soil and organisms already exist.
what is secondary succession?
is the number and variety of different species in an area.
what is biodiversity?
the benefits that humans derive from ecosystems
what are ecosystem services?
the struggle between organisms to survive in a habitat with limited resources
what is competition?
When a fruit bat eats the fruit from a fig tree, it eats the seeds as well. These seeds are dispersed through the bat’s droppings.
what is mutualism?
is the series of changes that occur in an area where no soil or organisms exist.
what is primary succession?
products we take from ecosystems have _______________such as providing a household income.
what is economic value?
the practice of using less of a resource so it last longer
An organism's particular role in an ecosystem, or how it makes its living.
A lion stalks and kills a gazelle, which makes the herd smaller. The herd now has fewer animals with which to share resources, and each surviving gazelle is stronger as a result.
The first species to populate an area are called ____
what is pioneer species?
is a species that influences the survival of many other species in an ecosystem.
what is keystone species?
the ability of an ecosystem to maintain biodiversity and production indefinitely
what is sustainability?
A close relationship between two species that benefits at least one of the species.
The Nile crocodile is well-known for being hyper-aggressive whenever an uninvited visitor steps into their territory. However, there is one creature that the scaly reptilians will not only tolerate, but practically welcome into their aquatic domain. Incredibly, the Egyptian Plover aka “Crocodile Bird” will fly into the crocodile’s open mouth and feed upon the decomposing meat stuck between their teeth. The plover gets a not so scrumptious meal while the crocodile gets a little free dental work!
The series of predictable changes that occur in a community over time
what is succession?
is the total number of inherited traits in the genetic makeup of an entire species.
what is genetic diversity?
the practice of helping a degraded ecosystem recover
what is restoration?
these two specific factors influence a population’s ability to survive
Sponges are very abundant in coral reefs. If they become too successful, however, they take needed food and other resources from the corals that make up the reef.
What is competition?
what happens to the populations when changes to physical and biological components occur rapidly or lastingly
they do not survive.
these two OTHER factors directly affect biodiversity
what is climate and size of ecosystem?
filtered ground water and surface water are two sources we tap into for drinking water is an example ________________ service
what is provisional?