Predator-Prey Interaction
Abstract Predators are animals that kill for their food; they must do this in order to survive. There has been controversy about predation in some areas including the re-introduction of wolves into the Yellowstone National park area and other areas. Predator-prey relationships are both beneficial and detrimental to some species. The weakest and unhealthiest become dinner for those predators and also become a positive thing for the species that only the strongest of the herd will survive and continue to reproduce. Some types of prey have defense mechanisms which fight off predators. Survival of the fittest is the best explained phrase for this type of ecological interaction.
Introduction Predator-prey relationships are a common interaction found in every type of ecosystems and communities. A predator is an organism that kills for their food. They must kill in order to survive. The prey is the organism being killed for food. Predation is an interaction where it is a +/- interaction. This could be related to animals killing animals, but the same concept is in other interactions such as bear eating berries or other insects eating leaves. If the predator doesn’t eat, it dies. Throughout the years, with evolution, animals have adapted to become better predators and prey has become harder targets. Predator-prey relationships are unstable. I will explain more about this throughout this essay in different species in different types of ecosystems, and the impacts of this type of interaction.
Predator/Prey Interaction and Evolution Predator-prey relationships are a +/- interaction. The prey is killed and the predator gains energy and nutrients. Predators are the primary movers of energy throughout the food web. When prey is abundant, predator population increases. It is a cycle that is continuous. When prey numbers decline, the predators also decline, therefore the cycle rebuilds itself. If the prey population of the primary
Introduction Predator-prey relationships are a common interaction found in every type of ecosystems and communities. A predator is an organism that kills for their food. They must kill in order to survive. The prey is the organism being killed for food. Predation is an interaction where it is a +/- interaction. This could be related to animals killing animals, but the same concept is in other interactions such as bear eating berries or other insects eating leaves. If the predator doesn’t eat, it dies. Throughout the years, with evolution, animals have adapted to become better predators and prey has become harder targets. Predator-prey relationships are unstable. I will explain more about this throughout this essay in different species in different types of ecosystems, and the impacts of this type of interaction.
Predator/Prey Interaction and Evolution Predator-prey relationships are a +/- interaction. The prey is killed and the predator gains energy and nutrients. Predators are the primary movers of energy throughout the food web. When prey is abundant, predator population increases. It is a cycle that is continuous. When prey numbers decline, the predators also decline, therefore the cycle rebuilds itself. If the prey population of the primary
Links: Predation and Parasitism” 2005. Accessed 26 July 2009. http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange1/current/lectures/predation/predation.html Woodford, Riley. “Alaska’s Most Powerful Bird of Prey.” Alaska Wildlife Conservation News. 2004 December. Accessed 26 July 2009. http://www.wildlifenews.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wildlife_news.view_article&articles_id=94&issue_id=21 “Predator Starfish Wiping Out The Great Barrier Reefs Dramatically.” Green Diary April 2007. Accessed 26 July 2009. http://www.greendiary.com/entry/predator-starfish-wiping-out-the-great-barrier-reefs-corals-dramtically/ USDA. “Wildlife Services Protects Livestock. Assisting Ranchers and Farmers, Preventing Livestock Predation and Wildlife-borne Diseases Developing New Management Methods.” Wildlife Services. FY 2004 report. Accessed 22 July 2006. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ws/introreports/livestock.pdf “10 of the Most Bizarre Animal Defense Mechanisms” Web Ecoist. Nov 2008. Accessed 29 July 2009. http://webecoist.com/2008/11/04/9-of-the-most-bizarre-animal-defense-mechanisms/