BIO 181 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Cuscuta, Spanish Moss, Commensalism
Document Summary
Def: assemblage of populations of various species living and interacting at a given time/place. Habitat = environment in which the organism lives. Same species richness, very diff. communities based on relative abundance. Ability to return to original state when disturbed. Dominant species may not be most important in maintaining. Dominant species may not be most important in maintaining overall stability. Ex: american chestnut, a dominant tree in eastern deciduous forests, was wiped out in 1930s by a fungus ; communities today stable w/ beech and oak. Keep species in check that might outcompete other species. Produce vitamin k needed by humans, get stable environment. Don"t harm tree but gain height for better access to light. Live in follicles of most humans" hair on head. Do not harm but have a stable environment to live/ reproduce. Ex: rabbit control by a virus in australia has led to resistant rabbits and less virulent virus strains.
