Download Community Ecology Structure and Species Interaction

Community Ecology
Structure and Species Interaction
Connor McNeil and Daniel Crawford
Community Structure
(aka Spatial Distribution)
Described by:
 Physical Appearance: stratification, distribution, and
relative sizes of population and species
 Species Diversity (Richness): number of different species
 Species abundance: number of individuals of each species
 Niche Structure: number of ecological niches, how the
resemble of differ from each other and how they interact
Difference in Physical Appearance
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Terrestrial biomes consist of vegetation patches
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Difference in size
Leads to boundries:
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Sharp edges: distinct
Ecotones: Wider, more gradual transition zones
Distribution of Biodiversity
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Highest Biodiversity in Tropical Rain Forests
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However, High Biodiversity and Low Species Abundance
Latitude: Latitude species diversity gradient : greater diversity
in tropics, least at poles (terrestrial systems)
Depth: increases to 2,000m, then decreases, until ocean
surface, which has high diversity (aquatic systems)
Species Interaction
Competition and Predation
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Intraspecific competition: members of the same species
compete for resources
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Territoriality: Patrolling, marking, and/or defending
home/nest/feeding sight
Interspecific Competition: Competition between two or
more species for resources
Competition
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Interference Competition: one species limits another’s
access to resources
Exploitation Competition: species have equal access to
resources, but vary in speed and efficiency of exploitation.
Predator-Prey Relations
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Predator feed directly on Prey
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Individually harmful
However, through predation, Prey species limited in abundance
and increased access to food and genetic stock improved
Use eyesight, speed, pack-hunting, etc
Pursuit and ambush
Prey
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Naturally avoid being EATEN!!!
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Speed, Detection, Protection, etc.
Camouflage, Mimicry
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Chemicals: Poison, Irritation, Smell, Bad Taste
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Enlargement
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Symbiotic Species
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Both species helped:
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Parasitism*
Lichens, Bacteria, Algae
*Can be considered special type of predation
Commensalism
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One species helped; one unaffected
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Ex: Raccoons and human garbage
Sources
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/edexce
l_pre_2011/environment/populationsandpyramidsrev5.sht
ml
http://i2.wp.com/naturalunseenhazards.files.wordpress.co
m/2010/09/raccoons.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Y99pUdrfsQ/TASYkDVUQLI/AAAAAAAAAXE/KStyyjVahy8
/s1600/IMG_3981.JPG
http://read.uconn.edu/PSYC3501/Lecture02/
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eucalyptus_forest
_and_button_grassland.jpg
http://www.life.illinois.edu/ib/453/