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Two Contrasting Views of The Community

The document discusses two contrasting views of ecological communities: the individualistic concept and the ecological niche concept. The individualistic concept views species similarities as being due to tolerances and requirements rather than evolutionary history, while the ecological niche concept views each species as having a defined place and role in its ecosystem. The niche concept also holds that adaptations reduce overlap among coexisting species' niches, helping control population sizes and distributions.

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Ricky Justin Ngo
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35 views

Two Contrasting Views of The Community

The document discusses two contrasting views of ecological communities: the individualistic concept and the ecological niche concept. The individualistic concept views species similarities as being due to tolerances and requirements rather than evolutionary history, while the ecological niche concept views each species as having a defined place and role in its ecosystem. The niche concept also holds that adaptations reduce overlap among coexisting species' niches, helping control population sizes and distributions.

Uploaded by

Ricky Justin Ngo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Two Contrasting Views of

the Community

H. A. Gleason The Individualistic concept of communities


Species similarities in their tolerances
and requirements, not evolutionary
history. “Gradual Change”
• The Ecological Niche
Defines the Place
and Role of Each
Species in Its
Ecosystem
• Adaptations Reduce
the Overlap of
Ecological Niches
Among Coexisting
Species
• Helps Control
Population Size and
Distribution
Ecological Niche

The total requirements


of a species for all
resources and physical
conditions determine
where it can live and
how abundant it can be
at any one place within
its range.
Ecological Niche
• Encompasses all aspects of a
species’ way of life, including
• Physical home or
habitat.
• Physical and
chemical
environmental
factors necessary
for survival.
• How the species
acquires its energy
and materials.
• All the other
species with which
it interacts.
Resource Partitioning – Coexistence
Gause's Principle: no two species can coexist on
the same limiting resource.
Species avoid competition
by partitioning
resources and
habitats among
themselves.
Resource Partitioning

Does not desiccate


at high tide

Desiccates at
low tide. Competition
Reducing Niche Overlap
• When species with
largely overlapping
niches are allowed
to compete, their
niches may focus
on a different part of
the resource spectrum.
Species – Area Curve

In general, the larger


the area, the greater
the number of
species.

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