Ecology

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What is biodiversity loss?

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Biodiversity loss refers to the decline in the variety and variability of life forms within a given ecosystem, often caused by factors such as habitat destruction, climate change, and invasive species.

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What is habitat fragmentation?

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Habitat fragmentation is the process by which large, continuous habitats are divided into smaller, isolated patches, often due to human activities like urban development and agriculture.

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What are invasive species?

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Invasive species are non-native organisms that, when introduced to a new environment, can outcompete native species for resources, disrupt ecosystems, and cause ecological harm.

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What is the relationship between birth rate and population growth?

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When the birth rate is high and the death rate is low, the population increases due to more individuals being added than lost.

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What is density-dependent competition?

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Density-dependent competition occurs when the growth of a population is limited by the availability of resources, and the competition for those resources increases as the population density increases.

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What happens to predator-prey dynamics if a prey population decreases?

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If a prey population decreases, the predator population may also decrease over time due to a lack of food, leading to a potential increase in the prey population if conditions improve.

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What is carrying capacity?

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Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can sustainably support, based on available resources.

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What is the role of food supply in population dynamics?

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Food supply is a critical factor that can limit population growth; if food is scarce, populations may decline due to starvation and competition.

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What is ecological niche?

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An ecological niche is the role and position a species has in its environment, including all interactions with biotic and abiotic factors.

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What is the impact of climate change on ecosystems?

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Climate change can alter habitats, affect species distributions, and disrupt ecological relationships, leading to biodiversity loss.