Chapter+5+Questions

1. a) Much of Tunisia is desert the plants in the desert compete for the limited water sources and space for their root systems. This can be seen with some of the spacing of plants in the desert. b) Theileria and Babesia Parasites have been found in ticks located in northern Tunisia. Also found in northern Tunisia, nematodes are parasites of the fresh water turtle. c) Lichen growing on tree bark is a commensalism realtionship that can be found in Tunisia d) The addax antelope preys on the shrubs and grass of the sahara desert. The scorpion preys on insects and spiders. The sand cat eats many rodents, and birds of the desert. e) Birds and rhinos, the birds eat insects off the rhino and get protection, the rhino is rid of insects. Animals that eat fruit, the animal is fed, and the seeds from the fruit are spread around

2. many desert plants live spread out, sometimes in an organized fashion because of their root systems. Ticks live populations, not clumped together but also spread apart. Turtles sometimes live in clumps. Lichen does not grow in clumps. The addax antelope lives in clumps and herds. the scorpion does not live in clumps, they live independently from one another. Fruit often grow in clumps on trees/plants.

3. r-selected: insects and rodents such as mice k-selected: elephants and cactus and rhinos

4) There is succession due to overgrazing and overcutting of timber in tunisia's forest. I believe there is both primary and secondary succession occurring

5) I think that most ecosystems would have to have resilience. Because most of Tunisia is desert the animals would have to adapt and build up a resilience to the harsh conditions, they learn to survive the condition rather than have to try and rebuild their population later.