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m 


- is a subdiscipline of ecology which studies
the distribution, abundance, demography,
and interactions between coexisting
populations.

g~nteractions between populations,


determined by specific genotypic and
phenotypic characteristics, is the primary
focus of community ecology.
Õ ‘odern community ecology examines patterns such as
variation in species richness, equitability, productivity
and food web structure; it also examines processes
such as predator-prey population dynamics,
succession, and community assembly. Patterns and
processes in turn can be considered in terms of space
and time, at different scales.
m 
is an assemblage of two or more populations of
different species occupying the same geographical area
6   
  


’. Habitat
2. Niche
3. Species interactions
©  
- A habitat is a place where an organism lives; it is
characterized by distinctive physical features,
vegetation, and the array of species living in it.

’. A community is an association of interacting populations of


different species living in a particular habitat.
À        
a. ~nteractions between climate and
topography dictate rainfall, temperature, soil
composition, and so on.
b. Availability of food and resources affects
inhabitants.
c. Adaptive traits enable individuals to exploit
specific resources.
d. ~nteractions of various kinds occur among
the inhabitants; these include competition,
predation, and mutualism.
e. Physical disturbances, immigration, and
episodes of extinction affect the habitat
3. Several community properties are the result of
the factors above.
a. Varying numbers of species are found in
?    from producers to consumers.
b. Diversity tends to increase in tropical
climates, creating 
  
 .

  
refers to the number of
individuals of each species; dispersion
describes how the individuals are dispersed
through the habitat.
   


Õ Mhe niche of each species is defined by the


sum of activities and relationships in which it
engages to secure and use the resources
necessary for its survival and reproduction.
Õ Mhe potential niche is the one that

prevail in the absence of competition; the
realized niche results from shifts in large and
small ways over time as individuals of the
species respond to a mosaic of changes.

   

Õ ~nteractions can occur between any two species in a


community and between entire communities.
Õ Mhere are several types of species interactions:
Õ ×     neither species directly affects the other
(example: eagles and grass).
Õ m  one species benefits and the other is not
affected (example: birdǯs nest in tree).
Õ ‘ there is a symbiotic relationship where both
species benefit.
Õ ~ 
?

  both species are harmed by the
interaction.
Õ     one species (predator or parasite)
benefits while the other (prey or host) is harmed.

   
A m  m  
’. Competition within a population of the same
species (intraspecific) is usually fierce and may
result in depletion of a resource.
2. ~nterspecific competition is less intense
because requirements are less similar
between the competitors.
3. Mhere are two types of competitive interactions
regardless of whether they are inter- or
intraspecific:
a. ~n  
  all individuals have
equal access to a resource but differ in their
ability (speed or efficiency) to exploit that
resource.
b. ~n  ? 

  some individuals
limit othersǯ access to the resource.
m  
 
’. Competitive exclusion suggests that
complete competitors cannot coexist
indefinitely.
2. When competitorsǯ niches do not
overlap as much, the coexistence is more
probable.
3. Differences in adaptive traits will give
certain species the competitive edge.
esource Partitioning
Õ Similar species share the same resource
in different ways.
Õ esource partitioning arises in two ways:
’. Ecological differences between
established and competing
populations may increase through
natural selection.
2. Only species that are dissimilar from
established ones can succeed in joining
an existing community.

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