ecology chapter 14 competition- competing for resources occurs due to a limited number of resources...

Ecology Chapter 14

Competition- competing for resources

occurs due to a limited number of resources

Resource- any necessity of life. water, nutrients, light, food.

Competitive exclusion principle- no two species can occupy the same niche in the same habitat at the same time

Competition

Predation Predation- when

an organism captures and feeds on another organism.

Predator- hunter Prey- hunted

Symbiosis Symbiosis- any relationship where

two species live closely together. (3 types)– Mutualism– Commensalism– Parasitism

Symbiosis Mutualism- both

species benefit from a relationship.

Lichens (fungus and Algae)

One example is the lichens, little non-descript patches of stuff you see growing on rocks and tree bark. This is a symbiosis, consisting of a fungus and an alga. The fungus provides a protective home for the algae, and gathers mineral nutrients from rainwater and from dissolving the rock underneath. The alga gathers energy from the sun. There are thousands of species of lichen in the world; actually thousands of species of fungi with just a few species of algae which can form a partnership with almost any of them.

Symbiosis Commensalism –

One member of a symbiotic relationship benefits and the other is neither helped or harmed

Ex. Holes used by bluebirds in a tree were chiseled out by woodpeckers after it has been abandoned

Clown fish + anemones

Symbiosis Parasitism- One

creature benefits and one creature is harmed

Ex tapeworm. Feeds in a humans intestines absorbing his/her nutrients.

Identify these relationships

Primary Succession

Defined: Establishment and development of an ecosystem in an uninhabited environment

Volcanic lava creates new land Glaciers retreating exposing new land

Bare Rock

Lava cools and hardens into rock

Pioneer Species

Defined: First organisms to inhabit new land Moss and lichen grow on bare rock Dead matter accumulates with rock pieces

– Thin soil layer begins to accumulate

The Process Continues

Seeds enter the area and grow Small flowers & shrubs accumulate more

organic matter With new plants, small animals inhabit the

area

The Process Continues

Small trees take root in the accumulated organic matter

More animals use the trees as a habitat

Climax Community

Large trees take root– Overcrowd and out-compete original trees

New animals inhabit new forests

Secondary Succession

Changes that take place after a disturbance occurs in an established ecosystem– Forest fires, floods, tree falls…

Faster scale (soil preexists)