Ecology Review

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What is mutualism in ecology?

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Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship where both species benefit from the interaction. An example is honey guide birds and badgers, where both species gain food.

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What are abiotic factors in an ecosystem?

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Abiotic factors are the non-living components of an ecosystem, such as temperature, water, soil, and sunlight, that influence the living organisms within it.

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What is biodiversity?

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Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the number of different species, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

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How does the introduction of invasive species affect ecosystems?

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Invasive species can disrupt local ecosystems by outcompeting native species for resources, leading to a decrease in biodiversity.

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What is carrying capacity?

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Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support without degrading the habitat.

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What happens when a population exceeds its carrying capacity?

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When a population exceeds its carrying capacity, resources become scarce, leading to competition, and ultimately, some organisms may die.

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What is ecological succession?

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Ecological succession is the process by which ecosystems change and develop over time, often following a disturbance, leading to the replacement of one community by another.

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What role do abiotic factors play in ecological succession?

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Abiotic factors, such as soil quality and climate, influence which species can thrive in an area during ecological succession.

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What is the impact of pollution on biodiversity?

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Pollution can harm ecosystems by degrading habitats, poisoning species, and reducing biodiversity through the loss of sensitive species.

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What is a food web?

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A food web is a complex network of feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem, illustrating how energy and nutrients flow through the system.