Daniel Eichinger
Trophic Interaction 1
I have two pictures depicting trophic interaction. This picture represents an example of one heterotroph preying upon another. In this case, this was a nest of snapping turtle eggs that has been destroyed by a small mammal (in all likelihood a raccoon.) The picture titled Trophic Interaction 2 is a closeup shot of the nest and you can see ants and other insects working on breaking down and decomposing the eggs and whatever tissue has been left behind. In these two pictures of the same scene we see predation and decomposition at work.
I believe that the most influential species in my location are white oak trees. Of the wooded portions of my location, white oaks are the dominant species. The white oak provides a substantial canopy. This canopy provides habitat for some birds and mammals. Additionally, mast from the acorns dropped by the white oak provides forage for a number of different species including squirrels and deer. Lastly, two of the water bodies on my location are surrounded entirely by the white oak. They provide substantial cover for these ponds. This cover limits the penetration of sunlight into these ponds creating a certain set of circumstances designed to support a particular niche.
If one were to remove the white oak, you would displace the species whose niche depends in part upon them for food, shelter, or cover (such as those reliant on the shade it provides to the ponds). The landscape would change substantially from a forested landscape to an open landscape. Because of the dramatic change in landscape different species would be able to more effectively compete within that niche than the species that had thrived with the presence of the white oak.
If the white oak were replaced by an invasive species the landscape would change more dramatically that if they were simply removed. Presumably, if the white oak were removed different species occupying that new niche would become established. The nature of an invasive species is that they are particularly keen competitors that are able to flourish without limitation. In that regard, I would expect that the species moved out as their niche changed would not be replaced.
Squirrel: The squirrel is an herbivore, Hairston et al found that herbivores are typically not limited by food supply, but are generally limited by predation.
Oak: The oak is limited by its competition for space. Hairston et al found that as terrestrial plant species compete, the competition ultimately expresses itself as competition for space.
Red-winged blackbird: The red winged blackbird are omnivores and feed on seeds, grains, insects, and small mammals. Within this location, there are numerous other species that compete for some of these same food sources. In that regard, they are limited by their competition for resources through interspecific competition.
Trophic Interaction 1
I have two pictures depicting trophic interaction. This picture represents an example of one heterotroph preying upon another. In this case, this was a nest of snapping turtle eggs that has been destroyed by a small mammal (in all likelihood a raccoon.) The picture titled Trophic Interaction 2 is a closeup shot of the nest and you can see ants and other insects working on breaking down and decomposing the eggs and whatever tissue has been left behind. In these two pictures of the same scene we see predation and decomposition at work.
I believe that the most influential species in my location are white oak trees. Of the wooded portions of my location, white oaks are the dominant species. The white oak provides a substantial canopy. This canopy provides habitat for some birds and mammals. Additionally, mast from the acorns dropped by the white oak provides forage for a number of different species including squirrels and deer. Lastly, two of the water bodies on my location are surrounded entirely by the white oak. They provide substantial cover for these ponds. This cover limits the penetration of sunlight into these ponds creating a certain set of circumstances designed to support a particular niche.
If one were to remove the white oak, you would displace the species whose niche depends in part upon them for food, shelter, or cover (such as those reliant on the shade it provides to the ponds). The landscape would change substantially from a forested landscape to an open landscape. Because of the dramatic change in landscape different species would be able to more effectively compete within that niche than the species that had thrived with the presence of the white oak.
If the white oak were replaced by an invasive species the landscape would change more dramatically that if they were simply removed. Presumably, if the white oak were removed different species occupying that new niche would become established. The nature of an invasive species is that they are particularly keen competitors that are able to flourish without limitation. In that regard, I would expect that the species moved out as their niche changed would not be replaced.
Squirrel: The squirrel is an herbivore, Hairston et al found that herbivores are typically not limited by food supply, but are generally limited by predation.
Oak: The oak is limited by its competition for space. Hairston et al found that as terrestrial plant species compete, the competition ultimately expresses itself as competition for space.
Red-winged blackbird: The red winged blackbird are omnivores and feed on seeds, grains, insects, and small mammals. Within this location, there are numerous other species that compete for some of these same food sources. In that regard, they are limited by their competition for resources through interspecific competition.