APES Questions & Answers
E. W
APES-6th Period
Food Web Questions
Oct 2013
Salt Water Marshes- Q&A
1. Identify a potential symbiotic relationship (p.153-155) in your food web and describe it.
Within our food web of Salt Water Marshes, located specifically in Virginia, there is a symbiotic relationship between the American Alligator and other organisms whose survival is dependent on the water they live in. During dry seasons, gator holes fill up with water, and could be one of the only locations with water. All the organisms, dependent on the water go to those holes for that water supply, it is mutual!
2. Define the concept of a keystone species (p. 148). Identify one species in your food web you would consider to be keystone and explain your rationale for your choice.
A keystone species is one that plays a critical role in maintaining structure of an ecological community. The species impact on that community is greater than its population or “relative abundance.” This is concept was introduced by a UW professor, Robert T. Paine in the year 1969. The Cord Grass or “Spartina Altemiflora” is a Key stone species in my food web, providing shelter for many of the animals living in the salt marsh, as well as being a food source for the herbivores.
3. Identify and describe two examples of predator-prey relationships in your food web.
Either the Heron or Hawk and fish populations in the salt water marshes are a prime example of a predator-prey relationship; the heron finds its prey by walking or “waddling” through the shallow waters of the marsh and catching fish by striking them with the birds long neck and beak, swallowing the fish whole; and the Hawk with its powerful wings flies down and grabs the fish right out of the water (Also helping to control the area’s fish population.)
4. Which of the species in your food web are non-native or exotic/invasive species introductions (p.233-36)? Explain how the introduction of one of these species has impacted your area. (If all
APES-6th Period
Food Web Questions
Oct 2013
Salt Water Marshes- Q&A
1. Identify a potential symbiotic relationship (p.153-155) in your food web and describe it.
Within our food web of Salt Water Marshes, located specifically in Virginia, there is a symbiotic relationship between the American Alligator and other organisms whose survival is dependent on the water they live in. During dry seasons, gator holes fill up with water, and could be one of the only locations with water. All the organisms, dependent on the water go to those holes for that water supply, it is mutual!
2. Define the concept of a keystone species (p. 148). Identify one species in your food web you would consider to be keystone and explain your rationale for your choice.
A keystone species is one that plays a critical role in maintaining structure of an ecological community. The species impact on that community is greater than its population or “relative abundance.” This is concept was introduced by a UW professor, Robert T. Paine in the year 1969. The Cord Grass or “Spartina Altemiflora” is a Key stone species in my food web, providing shelter for many of the animals living in the salt marsh, as well as being a food source for the herbivores.
3. Identify and describe two examples of predator-prey relationships in your food web.
Either the Heron or Hawk and fish populations in the salt water marshes are a prime example of a predator-prey relationship; the heron finds its prey by walking or “waddling” through the shallow waters of the marsh and catching fish by striking them with the birds long neck and beak, swallowing the fish whole; and the Hawk with its powerful wings flies down and grabs the fish right out of the water (Also helping to control the area’s fish population.)
4. Which of the species in your food web are non-native or exotic/invasive species introductions (p.233-36)? Explain how the introduction of one of these species has impacted your area. (If all