Species Adaptation and Evolution

Study Notes

Definition: The process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment, leading to increased survival and reproductive success.
Mechanisms:
- Natural selection: favors individuals with beneficial traits.
- Genetic drift: random events alter gene frequencies.
- Gene flow: exchange of genes between populations.
Examples:
- Antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
- Peppered moths adapting to industrial pollution.

Definition: The unique role and position of a species within its environment, including its resources, habitat, and interactions.
Components:
- Resource use: food, water, shelter, etc.
- Habitat use: physical environment, climate, etc.
- Interactions: predation, competition, symbiosis, etc.
Types:
- Fundamental niche: the full range of possible niches.
- Realized niche: the actual niche occupied by a species.

Definition: The process of change in species composition and structure of a biological community over time.
Types:
- Primary succession: in newly formed habitats (e.g., volcanic islands).
- Secondary succession: in disturbed or altered habitats (e.g., after a forest fire).
Stages:
1. Pioneer species colonization.
2. Intermediate stages: competition and species replacement.
3. Climax community: stable, mature community.

Importance:
- Ecosystem services: pollination, pest control, climate regulation, etc.
- Human well-being: food security, medicine, recreation, etc.
Threats:
- Habitat destruction and fragmentation.
- Climate change.
- Overexploitation of resources.
Strategies:
- Protected areas: national parks, wildlife reserves, etc.
- Sustainable land-use planning.
- Restoration ecology: rehabilitating degraded habitats.

Species adaptation is the process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment, leading to increased survival and reproductive success.
Mechanisms of adaptation include:
- Natural selection, which favors individuals with beneficial traits
- Genetic drift, which involves random events that alter gene frequencies
- Gene flow, which is the exchange of genes between populations
Examples of adaptation include:
- Antibiotic resistance in bacteria
- Peppered moths adapting to industrial pollution

Ecological niche is the unique role and position of a species within its environment, including its resources, habitat, and interactions
Components of an ecological niche include:
- Resource use (food, water, shelter, etc.)
- Habitat use (physical environment, climate, etc.)
- Interactions (predation, competition, symbiosis, etc.)
Types of ecological niches include:
- Fundamental niche, which is the full range of possible niches
- Realized niche, which is the actual niche occupied by a species

Community succession is the process of change in species composition and structure of a biological community over time
Types of succession include:
- Primary succession, which occurs in newly formed habitats (e.g., volcanic islands)
- Secondary succession, which occurs in disturbed or altered habitats (e.g., after a forest fire)
Stages of succession include:
- Pioneer species colonization
- Intermediate stages, characterized by competition and species replacement
- Climax community, which is a stable, mature community

Importance of biodiversity conservation includes:
- Ecosystem services (pollination, pest control, climate regulation, etc.)
- Human well-being (food security, medicine, recreation, etc.)
Threats to biodiversity include:
- Habitat destruction and fragmentation
- Climate change
- Overexploitation of resources
Strategies for biodiversity conservation include:
- Protected areas (national parks, wildlife reserves, etc.)
- Sustainable land-use planning
- Restoration ecology, which involves rehabilitating degraded habitats