Diversity

Galapagos Islands

Located about 600 miles west of Ecuador Located about 600 miles west of Ecuador Consists of 13 volcanic islands and numerous islets and rocks Consists of 13 volcanic islands and numerous islets and rocks Discovered by accident in 1535 Discovered by accident in 1535 First scientific study done in 1835 by Charles Darwin while aboard the HMS Beagle First scientific study done in 1835 by Charles Darwin while aboard the HMS Beagle

Galapago’s Finches

Diversity of Beak Forms Beak form and function are related to survivial Beak form and function are related to survivial

Natural Selection Organisms with characteristics suited to their environment will survive and produce the most offspring Organisms with characteristics suited to their environment will survive and produce the most offspring “Survival of the fittest” “Survival of the fittest” Adaptations will be passed to future generations Adaptations will be passed to future generations

Niches Role of an organism in an ecosystem Role of an organism in an ecosystem Includes resources utilized, relationships, and activities the organism engages Includes resources utilized, relationships, and activities the organism engages Each species has its own niche Each species has its own niche

Terminology Ecosystem – all living organisms in a given area and their interactions with their environment Ecosystem – all living organisms in a given area and their interactions with their environment Species – a group of organisms that is able to breed freely and produce viable offspring Species – a group of organisms that is able to breed freely and produce viable offspring

Bird’s Feet

Diversity of Beak Forms

Habitat Requirements What do you need to survive? What do you need to survive?

Habitat Requirements Food Food Water Water Shelter Shelter Space Space

Biotic Potential

Limiting Factors Interspecies competition Interspecies competition Intraspecies competition Intraspecies competition Disease Disease Predation Predation Disasters Disasters Balance other factors such as birth rate, early reproductive age. Balance other factors such as birth rate, early reproductive age. Effect is to increase death rate Effect is to increase death rate Produces S-curve Produces S-curve

S Shaped Curve

Carrying Capacity Number of individuals an ecosystem can support indefinitely. Resources are not used faster than they are replaced!

Human Interference Increase available food sources Increase available food sources Decrease available space Decrease available space Elimination of predators Elimination of predators