ecosystems :: essays research papers

Factors of Community1.Interactions between the climate and topographya.Rainfall, soil, temperature2.The food and resources that grow3.Other specific resources indispensable for a species to survive and adapt to. (Ecological niche)4.Species interaction5.Physical disturbances, addition/removal of certain species-These factors determine population sizes of an ecosystem.-Conditions of arctic regions dont allow numerous animals to live there due to the low temperature.Niches (all relationships in which species engage in order to survive and reproduce)-Fundamental Niche is a theoretical niche, where there are no constraints or limited resources)-Realized Niche is the actual niche, where there are constraints on resources)Symbiosis (living together Species interacting in +, -, and = ways) Mutualism (++)-Both species in interaction profit-Obligatory Mutualism -One species can non grow/reproduce without another speciesEX. Yucca plants are only pollinated by Yucca moths.-Yucca moths only g row in the yucca plant and only eat up Yucca seeds.Co-evolution-The prey and vulture build better defenses and counters to the others abilities.-Since the trump of the prey/predator survive more often, they have more chance to reproduce.-Soon only the strong survive, thus, the best ways of countering reach the entire population.-EX. Camouflage, Mimicry (faking a characteristic), Spewing toxins, showing teeth, etcCarrying Capacity-Maximum number of individuals that resources of environment can maintain.-Predator-Prey populations can fluctuate.-Predators may not adjust quick enough to the abundance of prey. -Additional predators could also influence the rate.-As more predators reproduce and eat more prey, the prey population decreases.-As more prey dies, predators have less to eat and begin to die off.-With fewer predators, the prey once again starts to reproduce at a faster pace.Predator- Animals that feed on living organisms, but do not live on themPrey- targets of predators tha t are killedParasites- Feeds on tissues of living organisms and live on themHost- the organism a parasite feeds onEffects of Parasites-Feeds off the phalanxs tissues nutrition.-Alters how much energy enters the organism, and weakens it.-Can alter birth rates, can sterilize, or make organisms less attractive to mates. -Can open prey to diseases and infections.-Usually does not want to cause death, so that it can reproduce for a longer period of timeMicroparasites-Rapid reproducers and personally infect the body.EX. Bacteria, Viruses, Protozoan Macroparasites-Directly lay their eggs on the host.EX. Fleas, ticks, mites, liceSocial Parasites-Manipulate the social behavior of another species.EX. Cuckoos lay their eggs in nests of other species, which push the rightful eggs out.-The mother of the original eggs ends up feeding the cuckoos.Parasitoids-Insect larvae that always kill what they eat (larvae and pupae of other insects)