Community Ecology - AP Biology
- Identify a factor that contributes to species extinction.
- Habitat destruction. Primary threat to global biodiversity preservation.
- Define ecological isolation.
- When two species occupy different habitats within the same area. Reduces competition through spatial resource partitioning.
- What is intraspecific competition?
- Competition among members of the same species. Usually more intense due to identical resource needs.
- What does the term 'symbiosis' refer to?
- Any type of close and long-term biological interaction between species. Can be mutualistic, parasitic, or commensalistic relationships.
- What is gamma diversity?
- Total species diversity across different ecosystems in a region. Overall diversity across landscape or regional scale.
- What is a food web?
- A more complex network of who eats whom in a community. Shows interconnected feeding relationships in ecosystems.
- What is the role of a primary producer?
- Organism that produces energy available for the rest of the ecosystem. Converts sunlight or chemicals into usable energy forms.
- What is an ecosystem engineer?
- Organism that creates, modifies, or maintains habitats. Modifies environment for other species' benefit or detriment.
- What is a habitat?
- The natural environment in which a species lives. Physical location where organisms live and obtain resources.
- What is a pioneer species?
- First species to colonize barren environments. Hardy species that can survive harsh conditions.
- What is the competitive exclusion principle?
- Two species competing for the same resources cannot coexist. Also known as Gause's principle, based on resource competition.
- Identify an example of mutualism.
- Bees pollinating flowers while obtaining nectar. Both species benefit from this symbiotic relationship.
- Identify a predator-prey relationship example.
- Lions hunting zebras. Predator population often cycles with prey abundance.
- Define trophic level.
- The position an organism occupies in a food chain. Determines energy flow direction through the ecosystem.
- What is the role of a foundation species?
- Species that create and define a community. Provide physical structure that other species depend on.
- Identify an example of a natural barrier.
- Mountain range. Geographic feature that prevents species movement or gene flow.
- What is an ecological hotspot?
- A biogeographic region with significant levels of biodiversity. Areas with exceptional endemic species and habitat threats.
- Define parasitism.
- Relationship where one species benefits at the expense of another. Parasite gains resources while harming the host organism.
- Define biotic factor.
- Living component that affects the ecosystem. Includes all living organisms that influence ecosystem function.
- What is the role of decomposers in a community?
- Break down dead organisms, recycling nutrients. Essential for nutrient cycling and energy flow continuation.
- What is the significance of alpha diversity?
- It measures species diversity within a particular area or ecosystem. Local diversity within specific habitat boundaries.
- Define primary succession.
- Succession that begins in lifeless areas with no soil. Occurs on bare rock or after volcanic eruptions.
- What is an ecological footprint?
- Measurement of human impact on Earth's ecosystems. Quantifies resource consumption and waste production rates.
- Identify a factor that limits primary productivity.
- Availability of sunlight. Light availability determines photosynthesis rates in ecosystems.
- What is commensalism?
- Relationship where one species benefits, the other is neither helped nor harmed. One-sided benefit with neutral effect on the other species.
- Identify an example of an ecological disturbance.
- Forest fire. Temporary disruption that can reset succession patterns.
- What is an ecological community?
- A group of interacting species that live in the same area. Communities interact through predation, competition, and symbiosis.
- What is ecological succession?
- The process of change in species structure in a community over time. Proceeds from pioneer species to climax community.
- What is interspecific competition?
- Competition between members of different species. Often involves resource competition between different species.
- What is a keystone species in community ecology?
- A species with a disproportionately large impact on its environment. Their removal dramatically affects ecosystem structure and function.
- Define invasive species.
- Non-native species that spread widely and cause harm. Often outcompete native species for resources.
- Identify an example of a climax community.
- Old-growth forest. Represents stable, mature ecosystem with low species turnover.
- Define ecological niche.
- Role and position a species has in its environment. Includes all biotic and abiotic factors affecting an organism.
- Define secondary succession.
- Succession that occurs in areas where a community has been disturbed. Happens after fires, floods, or human disturbances.
- Define ecological resilience.
- The capacity of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances. Indicates ecosystem stability and adaptation ability.
- What is resource partitioning?
- Differentiation of niches to allow similar species to coexist. Reduces competition by dividing available resources or space.
- What is the Shannon diversity index?
- A measure of species diversity in a community. Combines species richness with relative abundance patterns.