COMMUNITY ECOLOGYPopulations of different species that live and interact at same place and same time
ECOLOGICAL NICHE
Totality of adaptations to environment, use of resources and lifestyle
2 Types of Niches: Fundamental Realized
COMPETITION
Intraspecific or Interspecific
Competitive Exclusion Principle
Ways to reduce competition: Resource partitioning Character displacement
PREDATION
One species uses another for food Hunting Herbivory
Affected by natural selection
Coevolution
ANIMAL DEFENSES
Mechanical defenses: quills, shells, barbs
Chemical defenses
Cryptic coloration
Mimicry
PLANT ADAPTATIONS
Attraction
Defense: Structures: spines,
thorns, tough leaves, wax
Chemical defenses Warning coloration
KEYSTONE SPECIES INCREASE DIVERSITY
Greatly affect other species
Impact is disproportionate to abundance
WHY DO SOME COMMUNITIES HAVE MORE SPECIES?
Complexity of habitat
Geographic isolation
Habitat stress
Ecotones
Geological history
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Succession = stages Species in 1 stage replaced by different
species Usu. described in terms of vegetation
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