Transcript Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and the Issue of

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
Stratification
Species Diversity
Species richness
Niche structure
Edge effects
Biodiversity
Latitude
Ants
Birds
Depth
Pollution
Fig. 8-3 p. 167
Theory of island biogeography
General Types of Species
Native
Non-native (exotic or alien)
Indicator
Keystone
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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: pollination
Nutritional mutualism
Nutritional/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.