Virtual Ecology

Population Genetics
Many things can affect the genetics of a population. Factors may include selection, mating, mutation, migration, genotype frequencies, and the environment. In the simulation with fish, mutation caused more diversity within the population. Population genetics can also be affected by the carrying capacity, birth rates, death rates, immigration, and emmigration of the population.

Population Ecology
Probably the most important thing about population is population density. This is most useful when dealing with endangered species. Finding the exact number of a population is extremely difficult, so scientists estimate the amount. Population grows logistically, meaning that there are sudden burst of change, not just stability.

Community Ecology
There is often always competition within an ecosystem. In the Barnacle simulation, one type of barnacle could grow in a wider range in depth but could be outperformed. Another type of barnacle was limited to only a specific water depth, however they were still strong competitors. In the other simulation, I saw how different species could survive better depending on predators, the environment, etc. Natural selection plays a prominent role in who survives in the community.

Behavioral Ecology
Animals behave differently depending on their environment. In Bee Foraging, environmental conditions were modified to see how the bees would react to it. It affected total nectar collected and the rate of nectar collection. Predators of a species also affects the prey's hunting and foraging schedule, because it causes them to scavenge in a way that avoids the predators.

Conservation Ecology
Conservation Ecology is trying to protect species, habitats, and ecologies from extinction. Pesticides are indirectly affecting animals that associate with those pests. It kills food for the animal's survival and can cause the animals to have defects. Individuals exploiting a common resource will lead to the over exploitation of that material. Species that go over the carrying capacity will affect the ecologic system.

Biodiversity
Biodiversity depends on the environment, island size, distance from mainland, habitat type, and species type. It is the degree of variation of life. Biodiversity also comes from mutations and natural selection. In the simulation, when the fish went down the stream, they were separated. This spreads a species to other parts of the world. The more the fishes spread they create a diversity in the environment.