Organisms in a Community

Stability of a forest with different species

A forest with a diverse range of species tends to have greater stability. The presence of different species provides redundancy and resilience to the ecosystem, as different species can fulfill similar ecological roles and compensate for fluctuations or disturbances.

Habitat vs. niche

A habitat refers to the physical place where an organism lives, while a niche refers to the role and interactions of an organism within its habitat. The niche includes factors such as the organism's diet, behavior, and interactions with other species.

Characteristics of a moderately disturbed ecosystem

A moderately disturbed ecosystem may have nutrient-poor soil, a lack of mature species, and a higher presence of colonizer species. Despite the disturbance, it can still maintain a certain level of species diversity.

Unhealthy ecosystem without disturbance

An ecosystem without any disturbances can become unhealthy. Without disturbances, certain species may dominate and outcompete others, leading to a loss of biodiversity. Additionally, nutrient cycling and ecosystem processes may become stagnant, negatively impacting the overall health and resilience of the ecosystem.

Biodiversity hotspots

Biodiversity hotspots are areas with high levels of species diversity and endemism. They are often threatened by human activities and conservation efforts are focused on protecting these areas. Biodiversity hotspots also serve as important educational programs to raise awareness about the value of biodiversity and the need for its conservation.

Models for claims

Biomass pyramid, energy pyramid, and pyramid of numbers are models used to represent and explain different aspects of ecosystems, such as the distribution of biomass, the flow of energy, and the population sizes at each trophic level.

Disturbances that enhance ecosystem stability

Certain types of disturbances, such as periodic fires or natural disasters, can actually enhance ecosystem stability in the long run. These disturbances can promote species diversity, nutrient cycling, and create opportunities for new species to colonize and thrive.

Impact of drought on ecosystem

Drought can have a significant impact on an ecosystem. It can disrupt food chains, affect the energy flow through the ecosystem, and impact the carbon cycle by reducing plant growth and productivity.

Ecological pyramids

Ecological pyramids compare different aspects of ecosystems. They can represent the variety of species in an ecosystem, the predator-prey population relationships, the distribution of species in different trophic levels, and the energy flow through the ecosystem.

Symbiotic relationships

Fleas, barnacles, cowbirds, and algae are examples of organisms that engage in symbiotic relationships. Symbiosis can involve mutualistic, commensal, or parasitic interactions between different species.

Food chains vs. food webs

Food chains represent the flow of energy from one organism to another in a linear sequence, while food webs show the complex interactions and interconnections between multiple food chains. Disruptions in food webs can have a significant impact on the entire ecosystem.

Role of large trees as keystone species

Large trees can play a keystone role in an ecosystem. They provide important habitat and resources for other species, such as nesting sites, food sources, and shade. Their removal can have cascading effects on the entire ecosystem, impacting the abundance and diversity of other organisms.

Organisms in a community

Organisms that interact with each other and are part of the same population within a specific biome. They play important roles and depend on the same factors for survival.

Importance of photosynthesis and cellular respiration

Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are essential processes that transfer energy and matter on Earth. Photosynthesis converts sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen, while cellular respiration releases energy from glucose and consumes oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water.

Role of pioneer species

Pioneer species play a crucial role in the early stages of ecosystem development. They can colonize barren environments, break down rocks, provide organic matter, and create shade and soil conditions that allow other species to establish and thrive.

Ecological interactions in a community

Pitcher plants, frogs, grass snakes, and winged insects are examples of organisms that interact with each other in a community. These interactions can include predation, competition, mutualism, and other forms of symbiosis.

Ecological process observed in a field

Succession of plant species is an ecological process that can be observed in a field. It involves the gradual change in plant communities over time, as different species replace one another in a predictable sequence.

Number of trophic levels

The number of trophic levels in an ecosystem determines the energy available to support organisms. Ecosystems with higher energy availability can sustain more trophic levels. For example, an ecosystem with 50,000 kcal/m2 of energy can support more trophic levels than one with only 5 kcal/m2 available to top predators.

Relationship between species diversity and niches

The relationship between species diversity and niches is based on the idea that a greater variety of niches within an ecosystem can support a higher number of species. Each species occupies a unique niche, and the availability of diverse niches allows for greater species diversity.

Importance of tracking keystone species

Tracking keystone species is important for monitoring the health and stability of an ecosystem. Keystone species have a disproportionate impact on the ecosystem, and their presence or absence can indicate the overall health and functioning of the ecosystem.

Matter of dead organisms

When organisms die, their matter undergoes processes such as decay, which can release nutrients back into the environment. This matter can also be trapped or converted into different forms and cycled through the ecosystem.

Categorizing organisms

Zebras, sea turtles, wasps, penguins, and worms are examples of different organisms that can be categorized based on their characteristics, habitats, or other criteria.