Plants, animals, and microbes are introduced more and more frequently into regions that had never hosted them. These "invasive" or "exotic" species can be a destabilizing influence in ecosystems that lack the natural enemies needed to check the spread of the organisms. Introduced Species: - When exotic species are introduced into an environment. - They often have no natural enemies and survive and reproduce better than naturally occurring species. They can take over an ecosystem. •E.g. Zebra mussel, Purple Loosestrife, Scotch Broom
Predation
In an ecosystem, predation is a biological interaction where a predator (an organism that is hunting) feeds on its prey (the organism that is attacked).
Competition
Competition is an interaction between organisms or species in which both the organisms or species are harmed. Limited supply of at least one resource used by both can be a factor.
Weather
"Extreme weather such as hurricanes, torrential downpours and droughts will become more frequent in pace with global warming. Consequently, this increases the risk for species extinction, especially in bio diverse ecosystems such as coral reefs and tropical rain forests."
• Have you ever noticed grasses or plant growing in vacant lot near your home? How does this process happen? • Succession: the gradual process by which some species replace others in an ecosystem.
Primary Succession
• Primary Succession: The gradual growth of organisms in an area that was bare, such as rock. • E.g. Ferns and mosses growing on rocks
Click on the image to play a game about rocky succession!
Secondary Succession
The gradual growth of organisms in an area that previously had a number of organisms. E.g. A burnt forest area
Primary vs Secondary Succession
Click on the image to learn more about the difference between primary and secondary succession!