Exam 13: Interspecific Competition

In the Lotka-Volterra equations, the zero ________ represent the combined values of species 1 and species 2 under which population growth is zero (dN/dt = 0).

________ is a relationship that affects the populations of two or more species adversely.

The full range of conditions and resources under which an organism can survive and reproduce is that organism's ________ niche.

The coexistence of competitors due to differences in the range of resources used or environmental tolerances is referred to as niche ________.

Chemical interaction in plants, resulting in interspecific competition, is called ________.

According to T. Schoener, there are six types of competitive interactions among species. Use examples to describe four types of these competitive interactions.

Periods of drought or extreme environmental conditions may depress ________ below carrying capacity (K).

When two or more organisms use a portion of the same resource simultaneously, it is referred to as resource partitioning.

Explain the difference between a fundamental niche and a realized niche. Use an example to illustrate the role of competition in the establishment of each niche type.

When two organisms use a portion of the same resource simultaneously, it is referred to as ________ overlap.

Use a graph of the Lotka-Volterra equations to show how the outcome of competition between two species depends on the population carrying capacity.

According to the Lotka-Volterra equations, which of the following is NOT an expected outcome of competitive interactions between two species?

When a species expands its niche in response to the removal of a competitor, the species has experienced competitive ________.

Two bird species compete in the forest for the same seeds. If α = 0.75 and β = 0.25, then

Explain the idea of "ghosts of competition past" coined by ecologist J. Connell. What does this concept refer to and why is it important to our understanding of evolution and diversity?

Changes in the outcome of competition over an environmental gradient are mediated by multiple environmental variables.

Outline three reasons why competition can lead to long-term coexistence of many species.

In a competitive interaction in which species 1 has a higher carrying capacity (K₁)than species 2 (K₂), it is expected that species ________ will go extinct.

Explain what is meant by the paradox of plankton.

Competition can be difficult to demonstrate in the field because it is difficult to know whether populations are at or below their carrying capacity.