interspecific interactions -- a relationship between individuals of two or more species in a community

competition -- interaction -- -/- -- occurs when individuals of different species compete for a resource that limits the survival and reproduction of both individuals -- can occur between individuals of the same species

competitive exclusion -- concept -- when populations of two species compete for the same resources, one population will use the resources more efficiently -- this species will have a reproductive advantage -- this will eventually lead to the elimination of the other population

ecological niche -- the sum of a species’ use of the biotic and abiotic resources in its environment

resource partitioning -- the division of environmental resources by co-existing species -- the niche of each species differs by one or more significant factors from the niches of all co-existing species

exploitation -- ecological interaction -- +/- -- individuals of one species benefit by feeding on individuals of another species -- interactions include      -- herbivory      -- predation      -- parasitism

positive interactions -- ecological interaction -- can be +/+ or +/0 -- at least one species benefits -- neither species is harmed -- includes      -- mutualism      -- commensalism

mutualism -- ecological interaction -- +/+ -- both species benefit

commensalism -- ecological interaction -- +/0 -- benefits one individual -- doesn’t help or harm another individual

fundamental niche -- niche potentially occupied by a species

realized niche -- the portion of a fundamental niche a species actually occupies

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