Community Ecology: Structure, Species

Interactions, Succession and Sustainability

Chapter 8

“What is this balance of nature that ecologists talk about?”

Stuart L. Pimm

Key Concepts

Community Structure

Roles of species

Species interactions

Changes in ecosystems

Stability of ecosystems

Community Structure: Appearance and Species Diversity

StratificationSpecies DiversitySpecies richnessNiche structureEdge effects

Biodiversity

Latitude

Depth

Pollution

Theory of island biogeographyFig. 8-3 p. 167Fig. 8-3 p. 167

Ants Birds

General Types of Species

Native

Non-native (exotic or alien)

Indicator

Keystone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiYrqucl2vg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLH1qLCvqSg

Species Interactions: Competition

Intraspecific competition

Interspecific competition

Interference competition

Exploitation competition

Competitive exclusion principle

Resource partitioning

Resource Partitioning

Species Interactions: Predation

Predator

Prey

Prey acquisition

Predator avoidance

Symbiotic Species Interactions: Parasitism

Parasite

Host

Endoparasites

Ectoparasites

Symbiotic Species Interactions: Mutualism

Reproductive mutualism: pollinationNutritional mutualismNutritional/protection mutualism

Symbiotic Species Interactions: Commensalism

Indirect: i.e., small plants growing in shade of larger plants

Direct: i.e., epiphytes, remoras

Ecological Succession:Communities in Transition

Primary succession

Secondary succession

Pioneer Species

Successional species

Primary Succession

Secondary Succession

Succession and Wildlife

The Rate of Succession

Facilitation

Inhibition

Tolerance

Ecological Stability and Sustainability

Disturbance

Climax community

Inertia

Constancy

Resilience

Precautionary principle

Writing Assignment

The town council has observed that the frog population of a local stream has been dwindling. This stream receives storm water from a new development that has been planting and fertilizing the lawns of the new homes being built. The town council is looking to limit the amount of pesticide, herbicide, and fertilizer that can be applied to personal property. You assignment is to write a letter supporting or opposing this limitation. (You will be assigned one side or the other.)In your letter, use information from chapter 8 to write your letter.