41 - Species interactions

This occurs in an area where there is no soil or where the soil is incapable of sustaining life. It begins in essentially lifeless areas such as bare rock exposed by a retreating glacier or cooled lava flows.

This occurs in areas where an existing ecosystem has been disturbed or destroyed, but soil remains intact. Common causes of such disturbances include forest fires, hurricanes, logging, and agriculture.

Primary Succession Pioneer stages Barren rock due to glacier / volcanic eruption - (NO SOIL) Lichens (liverworts) move and start to develop the substrate Small annual plants start to grow, lichens continue to develop and maintain soil Perennial herbs start to show up and grow (Attraction of herbivores) Intermediate stages Larger plants start to show up trees, shrubs, ect… attracting more herbivores and predators Climax stage Shade-tolerant plant start to arrive tree, shrubs, etc. larger predators may arrive

Dam - Less diverse because the dams limit the flow of water and disrupt the natural occurrence of flooding and animal travel. In some cases even trapping animals behind the dams. Increased erosion can also be a side effect Natural - In a naturally flowing river, there is greater diversity because animals are allowed free travel allowing for movement of species up and down the river. This is good for reproduction and diversity in rivers. Natural flooding can also occur which is good for soil health and vegetation.

It’s the idea that while large and little disturbance may be bad for the environment(removal of organisms/change in resource availability, intermediate disturbance may foster greater diversity. An example in a forest would be flooding in some regions, fires in some areas, and controlled logging.

Create the environment/habitat substrates – provides the foundation for life

Have an unproportionately large effect on the ecosystem due to their abundance

Alter/change the environment

come from a different geographic region / are new to an ecosystem

Is a simple format to show how energy flows from one animal to another (producer to consumers / flows one way)

More complex format shows how energy flows plus within an ecosystem and how the species interact within the ecosystem (flows Mutiple ways can be described as many food webs)

Producers

Primary consumer

Secondary consumer

Apex predator

Decomposer

There are many species within the area meaning there is high biodiversity but the total of the represented species in the area is low

There are large numbers of few species meaning biodiversity is low, but the abundance of present species is high.

Animals - Camphage Color warning Mimicry Phycialdefenses - spikes Chemical - poisonous Plants - Can produce toxic chemicals, making them inedible for up to two years Thorns / physical defenses as well.

Principle that states two species cannot co-exist with one another indefinitely within a given area. One will outcompete the other, limiting its population or both populations can suffer. However, it can also lead to RESOURCE PARTITIONING, where certain species inhabit certain areas of the ecosystem to limit competition and allow for co-existence

Competitive exclusion

Niche specialization

Character displacement

Predation