Ecology Chapter 14
Jan 13, 2016
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)