Competition versus cooperation in intraspecific relationships
Include reasons for intraspecific competition within a population. Also include a range of real examples of competition and cooperation.
C4.1.10
A community as all of the interacting organisms in an ecosystem
Communities comprise all the populations in an area including plants, animals, fungi and bacteria.
C4.1.11
Herbivory, predation, interspecific competition, mutualism, parasitism and pathogenicity as categories of interspecific relationship within communities
Include each type of ecological interaction using at least one example.
C4.1.12
Mutualism as an interspecific relationship that benefits both species
Include these examples: root nodules in Fabaceae (legume family), mycorrhizae in Orchidaceae (orchid family) and zooxanthellae in hard corals. In each case include the benefits to both organisms.
C4.1.13
Resource competition between endemic and invasive species
Choose one local example to illustrate competitive advantage over endemic species in resource acquisition as the basis for an introduced species becoming invasive.
C4.1.14
Tests for interspecific competition
Interspecific competition is indicated but not proven if one species is more successful in the absence of another. Students should appreciate the range of possible approaches to research: laboratory experiments, field observations by random sampling and field manipulation by removal of one species. NOS: Students should recognize that hypotheses can be tested by both experiments and observations and should understand the difference between them.
C4.1.15
Use of the chi-squared test for association between two species
AOS: Students should be able to apply chi-squared tests on the presence/absence of two species in several sampling sites, exploring the differences or similarities in distribution. This may provide evidence for interspecific competition.
C4.1.16
Predator–prey relationships as an example of density-dependent control of animal populations
Include a real case study.
C4.1.18
Allelopathy and secretion of antibiotics
These two processes are similar in that a chemical substance is released into the environment to deter potential competitors. Include one specific example of each—where possible, choose a local example.