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SCI2030 – Introduction to Ecology
Exam #1
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1. Please define ecology and please name two interactions often found in biological
communities.
Ecology is defined as the scientific study of processes that influence the distribution
and abundance of various organisms, interactions among the organisms, and the
contacts between the organisms with a conversion and flux of energy and matter. In
other words, is the scientific study of abundance, relations, and distribution of
organisms and their interactions with the entire environment.
Correspondingly, one of the fascinating facultative interaction involves the Boran
people from Kenya, Africa, and a bird called the honey guide. Human hunting parties
are mostly joined and guided by the relentless honeyguide which leads them to
individual bee colonies. The Borans use the art of fire and smoke to scare off the
bees, then break open the honey nest and remove the entire honey while leaving the
wax and larvae behind. The bird then gets access to the larvae and wax. The
application of fire and smoke lowers the bird's risk of getting stung while the human
hunters increase the accessibility to nests. According to these Borans, the honeyguide
bird informs them of: the direction as related to compass bearing of the birds flight;
the distance, evaluated from the duration of the bird's departure and the height of
perch; and lastly, the arrival, shown by the "indicator call." These birds and Boran
hunters can survive without each other, but each benefit from the facultative
ecological interactions.
Another interaction involves the humans, particular ants and a small tree called
the acacia which provides a brilliant example of an obligate human mutualism.
Aforementioned is a case in Costa Rica where these insects called the Pseudomyrmex
provides several methods of protection. The ant attacks and removes any herbivorous
insects, vines that overgrow the acacia, and ...