The evolution of ecosystems is driven by specific selective pressures on organisms within the ecosystem. These selective pressures can be due to a range of biotic and abiotic factors which are continually changing over time.
Learning Intentions:
Predict the effects of selection pressures on organisms in ecosystems by examining.
- Biotic factors
- Abiotic factors
Ecosytems are made up of both biotic factors and abiotic factors. Biotic factors are factors which relate to living things, where as, abiotic factors are related to non living things in an ecosystem. An ecosystem is a community of organisms which interact with one another as well as the physical environment.
The below image is a marine ecosystem. The abiotic factors include the water, sun, salts, rock, oxygen and carbon dioxide. Where as, the biotic factors are the fish, coral, micro organisms and algae.
A selective pressure “selects” the traits which are most suited to particular conditions. This is done by the selective pressure killing organisms of a species before they are able to reproduce and pass on the less favorable traits. The frequency of the favorable trait within the population is then increased hence the species evolves to suit the environment. An abiotic factor which acts as a selective pressure is the amount of light available to low light plants which have been naturally selected to be the most suitable species for the low light. A biotic selective pressure for a rhino is the lion hence the rhino adapted a large size, horn and armour which protects it from other predators.
Exam-style questions: Evolution of Ecosystems.
Question 1
Identify three biotic and three abiotic factors in the following ecosystem. (2 marks)
Question 2 (2 marks)
Define an ecosystem using an example
Question 3 (2 marks)
The prickly pair cactus likely originated in Mexico where it is extremely dry and hot. Due to a particular selective pressure it has adapted to store large amounts of water within it’s leaves as well as developed the ability to limit water loss.
Explain the likely abiotic factor which has attributed to this adaptation.
Question 4 (3 marks)
Identify the biotic selective pressure’s which may have created the following adaptations.
- Cane toads containing venom secreting poison glands which kill animals which try to eat them
- Giraffes having long necks
- Full grown elephants being one of the largest on land animals
Cane toads venom – being hunted and eaten by predators e.g. mammals. (1 mark)
Giraffes long necks – availability and compation for leaves to eat requiring longer and longer necks to reach those the others couldn’t eat. (1 mark)
Elephants – the challenge of not being eaten and hunted by lions. (1 mark)
Answers.
Question 1.
Three biotic features: The seagull, the moss on the rocks, the plants (1 mark)
Three abiotic: minerals in the soil, the rocks, the air (1 mark)
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Up Next: Ecosystem Pressure Part 2
Return to: Interactive year 11 biology textbook