Biology Module 3 + 4 - Biological Diversity and Ecosystem Dynamics

Selection Pressures

Factors that influence the survival and reproduction of organisms in an environment, including abiotic and biotic factors.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living environmental components such as temperature, soil type, light intensity, and water availability that affect species distribution.

Biotic Factors

Living components of an ecosystem, including competition, predators, and availability of mates and food, that influence species survival.

Cane Toads

An invasive species introduced to Australia in 1953, which has rapidly increased in population and poses ecological threats.

Bufotoxin

A toxin produced by cane toads that can be lethal to predators, affecting predator-prey dynamics.

Prickly Pear

An invasive plant species introduced to Australia that became a pest, leading to extensive control efforts.

Food Chain

A linear representation of energy flow in an ecosystem, typically from producers to various levels of consumers.

Food Web

A complex network of interconnected food chains within an ecosystem, illustrating multiple feeding relationships.

Biomass Pyramid

A graphical representation showing the distribution of biomass among trophic levels in an ecosystem, indicating energy loss at each level.

Predation

A biological interaction where one organism (the predator) kills and eats another (the prey), influencing population dynamics.

Competition

The struggle between organisms for limited resources such as food, shelter, and mates, which can affect population sizes.

Intraspecific Competition

Competition among individuals of the same species for resources.

Interspecific Competition

Competition between individuals of different species for shared resources.

Decomposers

Organisms like fungi and bacteria that break down dead material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Adaptations

Inherited characteristics that enhance an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Symbiosis

A close interaction between two different species, which can be mutualistic, commensalistic, or parasitic.

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship where both species benefit from the interaction.

Commensalism

A symbiotic relationship where one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Parasitism

A symbiotic relationship where one species benefits at the expense of the other.

Biological Diversity

The variety of life forms on Earth, encompassing genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.

Genetic Diversity

The range of genetic variation within a population, crucial for adaptability and survival.

Natural Selection

The process by which individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to evolutionary change.

Allopatric Speciation

The formation of new species due to geographic isolation, preventing gene flow between populations.

Microevolution

Small-scale evolutionary changes within a population over a short period.

Macroevolution

Large-scale evolutionary changes that occur over geological time, often resulting in the emergence of new species.

Convergent Evolution

The process where unrelated species evolve similar traits due to similar environmental pressures.

Divergent Evolution

The process where related species evolve different traits due to different environmental pressures.

Punctuated Equilibrium

An evolutionary theory suggesting that species remain stable for long periods, interrupted by brief periods of rapid change.

Gradualism

An evolutionary theory proposing that species evolve slowly and steadily over time.

Fossil Evidence

Remains or traces of ancient organisms that provide insight into the history of life and evolutionary processes.

Biogeography

The study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time.

Comparative Anatomy

The study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of different species, providing evidence for common ancestry.

Vestigial Structures

Body parts that have lost their original function through evolution, indicating a common ancestor.

DNA Sequencing

The process of determining the exact sequence of nucleotides in a DNA molecule, used to assess evolutionary relationships.

Environmental Management

Strategies and practices aimed at protecting and restoring ecosystems while balancing human needs.

Human-Induced Changes

Alterations to ecosystems caused by human activities, such as agriculture, urbanization, and pollution.

Eutrophication

The over-enrichment of water bodies with nutrients, leading to excessive growth of algae and negative impacts on aquatic life.

Extinction

The permanent loss of a species, often driven by habitat loss, climate change, and human activities.

Mass Extinction

A significant and rapid loss of a large number of species across multiple taxa, often linked to catastrophic events.

Restoration Ecology

The scientific study and practice of restoring degraded ecosystems to their natural state.