Presentation is loading. Please wait.

Presentation is loading. Please wait.

Community Ecology u The study of the interactions between the species in an area.

Similar presentations


Presentation on theme: "Community Ecology u The study of the interactions between the species in an area."— Presentation transcript:

1

2 Community Ecology u The study of the interactions between the species in an area.

3 Community Hypothesis 1. Individualistic 2. Interactive

4 Individualistic Hypothesis u H.A. Gleason u Community as a chance assemblage of species because of similar abiotic requirements.

5 Interactive Hypothesis u F.E. Clements u Community as a linked assemblage of species that function as an integrated whole.

6 Predictions u Individualistic - fuzzy borders u Interactive - sharp borders u Robert Whittaker – tested the two ideas against each other.

7

8 Results u If abiotic factors form a continuum, then borders are fuzzy. u Individualistic Hypothesis is correct.

9 Comment u Abiotic factors may form sharp borders. u Ex: soil types u Result – the Community may look very much like the Interactive Hypothesis.

10 Interspecific Interactions u Interaction between species. u May be positive, negative, or neutral. u Ex: 1. Coevolution 2. Predation 3. Mimicry 4. Competition 5. Symbiosis

11 Coevolution u When two species have reciprocal evolution to each other. u Ex: u Flowers and their pollinators.

12 Predation (+/-) u Predator and prey relationships. u Ex – Lynx and Hares

13 Predation u Often results in interesting defenses or adaptations. u Ex: u Plant defenses u Cryptic coloration u Aposematic coloration

14 Cryptic Coloration u A passive defense where the prey is camouflaged against its environment.

15 Aposematic Coloration u The use of conspicuous colors in toxic or unpalatable organisms to warn off predators. poison arrow frogs

16 Homework u Reading – Chapters 53, 55 u Chapter 52 - today u Chapter 52 – Fri. 4/25 u Aquatic Productivity – wait until data is posted

17 Mimicry u Defense mechanism where the mimic has a resemblance to another species, the model. u Types: u Batesian u Mullerian

18 Batesian Mimicry u Palatable species mimics an unpalatable model. Hawk moth larva Snake

19 Mullerian Mimicry u Two unpalatable species resemble each other. Cuckoo Bee Yellow Jacket

20 Competition u When two species rely on the same limiting resource. u Intraspecific competition usually more severe than Interspecific competition. u Why?

21 Competitive Exclusion Principle u Predicts that two species with the same requirement can not co-exist in the same community. u One species will survive and the second will go extinct.

22 Ecological Niche u The n-hyperspace of requirements for a species. u How a species “fits into” an ecosystem. u Species can not have niche overlap, the Competitive Exclusion Principle

23 Niche Types 1. Fundamental - what a species is theoretically capable of using. 2. Realized - what a species can actually use.

24

25 Resource Partitioning u A way that species avoid niche overlap by splitting up the available resources. u Ex: Anolis lizards

26 A. distichus A. insolitus

27

28 Symbiosis u When two different species live together in direct contact. u Types: 1. Parasitism 2. Commensalism 3. Mutualism

29 Parasitism (+/-) u Parasite harms the host. u Parasites may be external or internal. u Well adapted parasites don't kill the host.

30 Parasitic behavior: A female Nasonia vitripennis laying a clutch of eggs into the pupa of a blowfly (Phormia regina)

31 Commensalism (+/o) u One partner benefits while the other is unchanged. u Ex. – Cattle and Egrets

32 Mutualism (+/+) u Both partners benefit from the interaction. u Ex: Pollinators and flowers Acacia Tree and Ants

33 Succession u Changes in species composition over time.

34 Succession Stages u Sere: unstable stage usually replaced by another community. u Climax: stable stage, self-reproducing.

35 Succession Types 1. Primary 2. Secondary

36 Primary Succession u Building a community from a lifeless area. u Ex: volcanic islands glaciated areas road cuts

37 Comment u The first example of primary succession was worked out on the Indiana Dunes. u Stages: u Open Beach u Beach Grasses u Conifers (Junipers and Pines) u Oaks u Beech-Maple forest (Climax)

38 Secondary Succession u Where a community has been disturbed and the soil is mostly intact. u Ex: u Cutting down a forest u Blow-outs on the Dunes

39 Causes of Succession 1. Autogenic Factors 2. Allogenic Factors

40 Autogenic Factors u Changes introduced by the organisms themselves. u Ex: toxins acids

41 Allogenic Factors u Outside disturbances u Ex: Fire Floods Prairie Restoration Project Upland, IN

42 Biogeography u Study of the past and present distributions of individual species and communities.

43 Range Limitations 1. Lack of dispersion. 2. Failure to survive in new areas. 3. Retraction from former range area.

44 Proof u Fossil Evidence u Pollen Studies u Transplant Experiments

45 Islands u Special cases in Biogeography. u Must be colonized from other areas.

46 Island Species Factors u Island size. u Distance from mainland.

47

48

49 Island Size u Small islands hold few species. u Why? u Fewer niches available for species to occupy.

50 Distance from Mainland u Closer islands have more species. u Why? u Easier for colonization.

51 Comment u Islands tend to have high numbers of Endemic species u Why? u Adaptive Radiation and Evolution of new species.

52 Summary u Know the two hypothesis of community structure. u Know the various types of interspecific interactions. u Know the Competitive Exclusion Principle and Niche Concept.

53 Summary u Know some examples and causes of succession. u Know how island communities are shaped.


Download ppt "Community Ecology u The study of the interactions between the species in an area."

Similar presentations


Ads by Google