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Understanding Community Ecology: Key Concepts of Species Richness, Evenness, and Succession

This overview explores fundamental concepts of community ecology, focusing on species richness, evenness, keystone species, and succession. Species richness refers to the number of different species in an area and varies with latitude, while species evenness measures the relative abundance of each species, contributing to ecosystem stability. The keystone species plays a crucial role in maintaining community structure. Additionally, succession explains the gradual development of communities, distinguishing between primary and secondary succession. Understanding these concepts is vital for ecological studies and preservation efforts.

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Understanding Community Ecology: Key Concepts of Species Richness, Evenness, and Succession

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  1. COMMUNITY ECOLOGY cont pp. 405-410

  2. Species (organism) Population Community (interaction of different species) Ecosystem Biosphere

  3. PROPERTIES OF A COMMUNITY • Species Richness • Species evenness • Species- Area Effect

  4. Species Richness: # of different types of species • varies with latitude (closer to equator the more species) • more sun, better climate stability

  5. Species evenness: the abundance of each species

  6. ↑species richness and ↑ evenness: ↑stability (ability to withstand disturbances in the ecosystem)

  7. Species- Areas Effect: larger areas contain more species than smaller areas

  8. KEYSTONE SPECIES • most dominant species in the community • Dictates community structure • Demonstrated by removal of keystone species from community What would happen to the species richness if the keystone species is removed from the ecosystem?

  9. SUCCESSION • Sequential and gradual growth of a community • Two types: primary and secondary

  10. Primary succession occurs when land is first formed. 1. Microbes, lichens and mosses must create soil before other plants can grow. 2. Pioneer species: first species to dominate early in succession (small and fast growing)

  11. Secondary succession occurs when succession must start over after the destruction of a climax community (marked by the domination of long-lived species and great diversity). - takes place on sites that have already supported life

  12. Homework • Read pp 405-410 • P 410 #1-5, 8 • Worksheet #5

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