1. Community Ecology
The study of interactions between species of organisms living in the same area.
Characterized by species richness and relative abundance of each species  Species Diversity

2. Interspecific Interactions
Predation + / -
Competition - / -
Commensalism + / 0
Mutualism + / +
Interspecific interactions are responsible for coevolution.

3. Examples of Coevolution
Camouflage and Mimicry

4. Symbiosis
Organisms living
together

5. Competitive Exclusion Principle
When two or more species in a community rely on similar limiting resources, they may be subject to interspecific competition.
According to the competitive exclusion principle, two species with similar needs for the same limiting resources cannot coexist in the same place.

6. Competition in Paramecium

7. Ways to Lessen Competition
Resource partitioning
Character displacement

8. Keystone Species
A species that makes an unusually strong impact on community structure.
Example: Sea Star Pisaster’s role in biodiversity of Pacific intertidal zone.

9. Ecosystems All the living organisms along with all the abiotic facts.
Important Concepts:
Trophic Relationships
Energy Flow
Cycles of Chemical Elements
Human Impact