Concepts
13 concepts
interspecific competition
Negative interactions between individuals of different species competing for limited resources
algal resource quality
The nutritional value of algae as food for aquatic consumers, typically measured by nutrient content
detritivore feeding preference
Selective consumption behavior of invertebrates feeding on different types of organic detritus
energy flux
The flow of energy through ecological systems, measured as invertebrate biomass transfer from terrestrial to aquatic environments
functional feeding groups
Categorization of invertebrates based on feeding mechanisms: collector-gatherers, grazers, predators, shredders, and suspension-feeders
case grazing
Behavior where caddisfly larvae consume material from their own or others' protective cases
non-additive effects
Combined impact of multiple predators differs from the sum of their individual effects, can be greater or less than additive
terrestrial subsidies
Input of terrestrial invertebrates into aquatic food webs providing energy to aquatic predators
detritivory
Consumption of dead organic matter by organisms, particularly caddisfly larvae feeding on detritus
detritus shredders
Functional guild of macroinvertebrates that break down dead organic material, contributing to nutrient cycling in aquatic ecosystems
dietary specialization
Differential prey use based on habitat type, with fairy shrimp comprising majority of diet in temporary ponds
exploitation competition
Competition through depletion of shared resources without direct interaction
intraguild predation
Asymmetric intraguild predation (IGP) between caddisflies where larger, faster-growing species prey on smaller competitors
