AP Biology Unit 8 Vocabulary

the pattern of spacing among individuals within the boundaries of the population.

a plot of proportion or ship curve begins with a cohort still alive at each age.

symbolize by K, as the maximum population size that a particular environment can sustain.

a birth rate or death rate that does not change with population density

a death rate that increases with population density or birth rate that falls with rising density

interaction that occurs when individuals of different species compete for a resource that limits the survival and reproduction of each species (-/-)

interaction between species in which one species kills and eats the other (+/ -)

exploitative interaction in which one organism (the parasite) derives its nourishment from another organism (host) is harmed in the process (+/ -)

the interspecific interaction that benefits both species (+/-)

interaction between species that benefits one of the species but neither harms nor help the other (+/0)

the structure and dynamics of community also depend on the feeding relationships between organisms

The transfer of food energy up to the trophic levels from its source in plants and other autotrophs (primary producers) through herbivores (primary consumers) to carnivores (secondary, tertiary , quarterary consumers) and eventually decomposers.

food chains that are not isolated units but are linked together

An event such as storm, fire, flood, drought, or human activity that changes a community by removing organisms from it or altering resources availability