key term - Predation

Definition

Predation is a biological interaction where one organism, the predator, hunts and consumes another organism, the prey. This relationship plays a vital role in controlling population sizes and maintaining ecological balance. Predation can impact community dynamics, influencing species diversity and ecosystem health, particularly when invasive species disrupt these natural interactions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Predation can lead to co-evolution between predators and prey, resulting in adaptations that enhance survival for both groups.
2. Invasive species can disrupt natural predation relationships, allowing them to flourish while native species decline due to increased competition or predation pressure.
3. The presence of predators can help regulate prey populations, which in turn can prevent overgrazing or overpopulation of herbivorous species.
4. Predation influences species richness in an ecosystem by creating opportunities for a variety of species to coexist through niche differentiation.
5. Changes in predation patterns due to human activity, such as habitat destruction or introduction of new species, can have cascading effects throughout the food web.

Review Questions

• How does predation influence the population dynamics of both predator and prey species?
  • Predation is crucial for regulating population sizes in ecosystems. When predator populations increase, they exert more pressure on prey species, leading to a decline in prey numbers. Conversely, if prey populations become too low, it can lead to decreased survival rates for predators as their food source diminishes. This dynamic keeps both populations in check and maintains ecological balance.
• Discuss how invasive species can alter the natural predation relationships within an ecosystem.
  • Invasive species can significantly change the dynamics of predation by either introducing new predators that hunt native prey or outcompeting native predators for food resources. These alterations can lead to declines in native prey populations, disrupting the entire food web. The loss of natural predators may allow invasive prey species to thrive unchecked, leading to further imbalances within the ecosystem.
• Evaluate the broader ecological implications of altered predation due to human-induced changes in ecosystems.
  • Human activities such as habitat destruction and climate change can drastically alter predation dynamics. For example, removing top predators from an ecosystem can lead to overpopulation of herbivores, resulting in overgrazing and vegetation loss. This not only affects plant communities but also leads to erosion and diminished soil quality. Such changes can cascade through the ecosystem, affecting biodiversity and the overall health of environmental systems.

Related terms

Herbivory: A form of predation where animals consume plants or plant parts, influencing plant populations and community structure.

Trophic Cascade: An ecological phenomenon triggered by the addition or removal of top predators, leading to dramatic changes in ecosystem structure and nutrient cycling.

Invasive Species: Non-native species that spread rapidly in a new environment, often disrupting local ecosystems by outcompeting native species for resources.