Species Interactions & Population Control

Five Major Interactions Interspecific Competition Predation Parasitism Mutualism Commensalism

Interspecific Competition Different species competing for the same resources Niche overlap – Greater overlap = more intense competition Outcomes: – Resource partitioning Evolution/speciation – Competitive exclusion Local Extinction

Resource Partitioning When species divide a niche to avoid competition for resources

Competitive Exclusion two species competing for the same resource cannot coexist at constant population values, if other ecological factors remain constant

Predation

Symbiosis Close long term associations between two or more species *Three types: 1.Mutualism 2.Commensalism 3.ParasitismParasitism

Brood Parasitism The manipulation and use of a host to raise the young of the brood parasite *Nest hypothesisNesthypothesis *Mafia hypothesis

Population A group of interbreeding individuals of the same species

Population Characteristics Size Density Dispersion Age distribution

Population Size Four variables determine population size: 1.Births 2.Deaths 3.Immigration 4.Emigration = (Births + Immigration) - (Deaths + Emigration) Population Change

Dispersion

Clumps -most popular 1. Cluster near resources 2. Groups increase chance of finding resources 3. Protection 4. Hunting

Dispersal Examples Clumped (elephants) Uniform (creosote bush) Random (dandelions) Territorial Solitary

Age Structure Distribution of individuals among various ages Dictates how rapidly a population Three groups: 1. Pre-reproductive stage not mature enough to reproduce 2. Reproductive stage capable of reproduction 3. Post-reproductive stage too old to reproduce

A B CD

Life table Life Tables  Shows life expectancies for age groups  Demography : Study of a populations vital statistics and how they change over time females males What adaptations have led to this difference in male vs. female mortality?

Survivorship curves Generalized life strategies What do these graphs tell about survival & strategy of a species? Human (type I) Hydra (type II) Oyster (type III) Percent of maximum life span Survival per thousand I.High death rate in post-reproductive years II.Constant mortality rate throughout life span III.Very high early mortality but the few survivors then live long (stay reproductive)

Reproductive strategies  K-selected  late reproduction  few offspring  invest a lot in raising offspring  primates  coconut  r-selected  early reproduction  many offspring  little parental care  insects  many plants K-selected r-selected

Exponential Growth Constant growth of a population – Birth rate exceeds the death rate J shaped curve

Conditions for Exponential Growth Unlimited resources – Abundant space – Abundant food – Shelter – Decrease in predators – Decrease in disease – Reproduction

Rule of 70 How long does it take to double? – Resource use – Population size – Money in a savings account Rule of 70 – 70 divided by the percentage growth rate = doubling time in years – 70 / 7% means it takes ten years to double

Human Population

Logistic Growth Growth of a population slows or stops as resources become less available S curve

Carrying Capacity The largest number of individuals that a given environment can support at a given time

Regulation of population size marking territory = competition competition for nesting sites  Limiting factors  density dependent  competition: food, mates, nesting sites  predators, parasites, pathogens  density independent  abiotic factors  sunlight (energy)  temperature  rainfall

St. Matthew’s Island

Ecological Succession Predictable changes that occur in a community over time Two types: – Primary – Secondary

Primary Succession Begins in a place without any soil Examples: – Volcanos – Glacier retreats Process begins with pioneer species – lichens or cyanobacteria

Primary Succession Moss move in bringing insects Ferns & grasses Shrubs & Trees

Secondary Succession Organisms evades an ecosystem that already existed before Usually a result of disturbance – Human disturbance – Natural catastrophes

Steps in Secondary Succession Major disturbance – weeds come in Grasses Pines begin to grow – Grasses are shaded out Old pines die – hardwoods begin to replace

Secondary Succession

Climax Community A stable group of plants and/or animals that colonize an area after a succession event Ex: Old Growth Forest

Climax Community Climax communities are not always BIG trees! – Grasses in prairies – Cacti in deserts

Aquatic Succession Transition of aquatic habitats (mainly ponds) filling with sediments & the eventually becoming a terrestrial ecosystem