Predation and Competition




BIO226 : Predation and Competition

Predation and Competition

Two of the main ways that populations interact with one another is by competition and by predation. In competition, individuals seek to obtain the same environmental resource. In predation, one population is the resource of the other.

One can conceptualize competition as occurring horizonatally on the same resource level, while predation takes place vertically between different resource levels.

Competition and predation comprise environmental pressures on the interacting populations. The coexistence of populations under competition and predation indicates that these populations have accomodated themselves to each other's presence and have evolved ways to survive in spite of the pressures. In other words, they have coevolved.

In this section, we will see how competition and predation both hinder and benefit populations and look at evidence for coevolution.

To complete this module, you should:

Read the indicated pages of the textbook, The Economy of Nature by Robert E. Ricklefs.
Open and read the hyper-text lessons for each topic in the unit, including the links in the body of each lesson.
Submit assignments by the dates indicated on their respective pages.

E-mail Professor Gaud at gaud@jan.ucc.nau.edu
or call (520) 523-7516

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