Ecology ch. 17 terms

occurs when a single species of predator feeds on two prey species supporting a higher predator density, increasing the rate at which prey are consumed. As a result, the density of both prey species is lowered, suggesting a competitive interaction.

indirect interaction that is positive to one of the species involved, while neutral to the other

situation in which one species indirectly benefits another species by reducing the population of its string competitor

predation that is central to the organization of a community; the predator enhances one or more inferior competitors by reducing the abundance of the superior competitor

influence of producers on the trophic levels above them in a food web

influence of predators on the structure of lower trophic levels in a food web

environmental conditions affect survival, growth, and reproduction, with ranges varying between organisms

organisms are adapted to function within a certain set of conditions, this causes trade-offs in survivability

distribution of fundamental niches along the environmental gradient represents a primary constraint on community structure

high-light plants suited for the desert couldn't live in low-light conditions with more water

ectotherms have a slower metabolism but must expose themselves to predation while basking

more kids means some might survive, but less care

1. environmental tolerances of a species, its fundamental niche
2. direct and indirect interactions with other species, its realized niche

weak level interactions spread out between many species, as in a food web

multiple predators preying on a single species, cumulative affect

a single mutualistic species that has many different possible hosts
often facultative mutualism

one species has an immediate and personal impact on a second species

one species impacts a second species, which in turn affects a third

withstanding conditions away from the optimum

better competitors have higher tolerance. can result in zonation in plants

depends on water levels

more water-grow stems
less water-grow roots

trade-off between competitive ability below ground and the ability to tolerate stress from low oxygen or high salinity

follow temperature and moisture patterns, which are influenced by soil and topography

aquatic environments are influenced by depth, flow, and salinity gradients

more vertical structure makes more niches, allowing more species diversity

inverse relationship

more nutrients means more stem growth, some plants will grow faster and overgrow the others, killing those species off