Honors Environmental--Ecosystem Interactions Review

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What is ballast water?

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Ballast water is water carried in ships' ballast tanks to provide stability. It can contain various aquatic species, which may be introduced to new environments when the water is discharged.

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What is competition in an ecosystem?

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Competition occurs when two or more organisms vie for the same resources, such as food, territory, or mates, which can lead to struggles for survival.

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What is resource partitioning?

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Resource partitioning is a process where different species use different resources or use the same resource in different ways to reduce competition.

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What is natural selection?

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Natural selection is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring, leading to evolutionary changes.

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What is a keystone species?

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A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance, often maintaining the structure of the ecosystem.

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What is the impact of invasive species like zebra mussels?

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Invasive species can disrupt local ecosystems, outcompete native species for resources, and cause economic damage.

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What is commensalism?

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Commensalism is a type of symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

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What is mutualism?

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Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit from the interaction.

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How do tuskless elephants relate to natural selection?

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Tuskless elephants are less likely to be poached, which allows them to survive longer and reproduce, demonstrating natural selection.

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What is parasitism?

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Parasitism is a relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another, often harming the host.