A community involves species that interact and live together within the same space and time. The communities present in each given area is a reflection of the physical environment in which they survive. For example, at Kamiak Butte, the climate conditions play a major role in what species are present on each slope. Each slope contains a variety of diverse species living and interacting with one another which will be explored in the remainder of this paper. Ponderosa Pine-Mallow Ninebark-Elk Sedge Community
In the first slope named Ponderosa Pine-Mallow Ninebark-Elk Sedge, one of the most dominant intraspecific interactions is competition for resources. At slope one there is significant coverage of vegetation as seen by the PAR and Overstory …show more content…
The most obvious above soil interspecific interaction is amid the lichen and the trees. Several types of lichen such as shield lichen and tree hair lichen lie upon the trees in slope one. A commensalism relationship is revealed as the lichen is benefiting from the tree by having a space to live and grow, whereas the tree has not necessarily benefited from having the lichen present, but the tree is not harmed either. Beneath the surface another interspecific reaction is noted. Ectomycorrhiza resides in the tree roots, providing a large sheath allowing the tree roots to absorb water and nutrients much more efficiently than without the mycorrhiza present. Likewise, the mycorrhiza are fungi that without the tree would not be able to reproduce or retain energy and food. This is an example of a mutualistic interaction due to both species …show more content…
The microclimate allows for a great range of species beneath the Ponderosa Pine. Again, using a circular plot radius only one species of tree, the Ponderosa Pine, was examined. Though there is only one species of tree present, the species are rather abundant, the plot data showing (x) within a (x) radius. The Ponderosa Pine is most abundant due to its ability to withstand drought, which is much higher than that of the Western Larch or the Douglas Fir. As for the shrub layer, the woods rose was present yet in very few numbers, while serviceberry dominated the community. Serviceberry retained a community having (x)% coverage. Snowberry was present as well, but again, in rather small numbers, having only a (x)% coverage. Bluebuch wheatgrass as well as Idaho Fescue was noted within the herbaceous level, both having similar coverage of (x)%, however, Idaho Fescue still had a somewhat larger community established (table). One of the more abundant species at the herbaceous level was the invasive North African Grass. Each of the species were distributed fairly well across the ecosystem of slope number two, and beneath the Pines. Based on the overall abundance present in this slope, the community can be defined as a