Factors that Shape Ecosystems Symbiosis, Succession, and Invasive Species

Factors that Shape Ecosystems Ecosystems are shaped by a combination of biological and physical factors

Abiotic Factors non-living parts of an ecosystem

Biotic Factors living parts in an ecosystem

Factors that Shape Ecosystems Together, biotic and abiotic factors determine the survival and growth of an organism and the productivity of the ecosystem in which the organism lives.

Habitat the area in which an organism lives

Niche role or occupation that an organism plays in its community (habitat)

Community Interactions contact between organisms that help shape ecosystems

Community Interactions Competition Predation Symbiosis Mutualism Parasitism Commensalism

Competition occurs when members of two or more species populations rely on the same resource for survival

Competition Exclusion Principle no two species can occupy the same niche in the same habitat at the same time there are winners and losers

Predation a relationship (usually) between two species in which one is killed (for food) and the other benefits

Symbiosis specific relationships that occur between two different species

Symbiosis Mutualism Parasitism Commensalism

Symbiosis: Mutualism a specific relationship between two organisms/species in which both benefit

Symbiosis: Parasitism a specific relationship between two organisms/species in which one benefits and other is harmed

Symbiosis: Commensalism a specific relationship between two organisms/species in which one organism benefits and the other is unharmed

Symbiosis: Commensalism rare most relationships are at least slightly mutualistic or parasitic

Succession the process by which an ecosystem slowly returns to its original state after some disturbance species replace species as succession progresses lead by a pioneer species

Succession

Succession

Pioneer Species a species that establishes an ecosystem after it has been severely changed/altered this organism 'paves' the way for other species to return to the ecosystem

Succession

Pioneer Species a species that establishes an ecosystem after it has been severely changed/altered this organism 'paves' the way for other species to return to the ecosystem typically plants return to an ecosystem before animals

Succession

Pioneer Species a species that establishes an ecosystem after it has been severely changed/altered this organism 'paves' the way for other species to return to the ecosystem typically plants return to an ecosystem before animals usually small organisms (grasses, insects, etc.)

Invasive Species an introduced species that negatively affects the ecosystems they invade financially and/or ecologically also called "non-indigenous" or "non-native" cost people money and/or threaten native species can be plants or animals

Invasive Species