ECO-01 Mistakes to Avoid

Confusing biomass and energy pyramids: The biomass pyramid can be inverted (aquatic), but the energy pyramid is NEVER inverted. Many students write "both biomass and energy pyramids are inverted in aquatic systems" — this is wrong.
Inverting the exponential growth formula: dN/dt = rN is exponential (J-shaped); dN/dt = rN(K−N)/K is logistic (S-shaped). Do not write K-N/K without brackets — K−N/K is mathematically different from (K−N)/K.
Misidentifying pioneer species: Mosses are NOT the pioneer in primary succession on bare rock. Crustose lichens are the pioneer; mosses come second. The sequence is: lichens → mosses → herbs → shrubs → trees.
Confusing Batesian and Müllerian mimicry: Batesian = palatable (harmless) species mimics unpalatable (harmful) model. Müllerian = multiple unpalatable species resemble each other for shared warning signal benefit. Do not swap them.
Misclassifying interactions: Brood parasitism (cuckoo–crow) is parasitism (+/−), not commensalism. Mycorrhiza is mutualism (+/+), not parasitism. Barnacle on whale is commensalism (+/0), not mutualism.
Forgetting phosphorus has no gaseous phase: Students assume all biogeochemical cycles are gaseous because carbon ( $CO_{2}$ ) and nitrogen ( $N_{2}$ ) are. Phosphorus is exclusively sedimentary — no atmospheric reservoir.
Maximum growth rate confusion: The maximum growth rate in logistic growth occurs at N = K/2, not at N = K. At N = K, growth rate = 0 (dN/dt = 0).
Confusing GPP and NPP: GPP is total photosynthesis; NPP = GPP − Respiration. NPP is what's available to herbivores, not GPP.
Dormancy type confusion: Hibernation = winter cold; Aestivation = summer heat/drought; Diapause = developmental arrest (not seasonal temperature-based, but triggered by unfavourable environmental conditions in zooplankton/insects).
Secondary succession is not "faster because the environment is better": It is faster because soil is already present and seed banks exist — the substrate has been pre-conditioned by previous communities.