Ecology Essay

In a scientific observation, three species of leaf-eating beetles inhabit an isolated island on the Pacific Ocean. Through published observations and fossil records two of the species, species A and B, co-existed on the island before the introduction of the third species. This new species, species C, has impacted the population size of the other two species. Through graphs and close monitoring the pattern of the population density is apparent.

Since the introduction of species C the population density of said species had an exponential growth curve. When species C first immigrated onto the island the population density of species C was very low. This pattern continued until around 1979. At this time the population of species C beetles boomed. This J-shaped curve may have occurred for a number of reasons. Lack of hindrances or predators may have caused the boom in population. It is also plausible that the species relocated to another part of the island where unlimited resources were at their disposal. Another possibility is if all of the beetles of species C lived in a compacted area the probability of competition for resources would have been very high. Where as, if each member had enough room to thrive the rate of competition would fall and the population density would rise.

With the introduction of species C into the environment, species A and B’s population density was affected. The population density of species A and B remained unaffected until the exponential growth of species C. This boom in species C did not affect species A; this pattern proposes that species C did not invade the niche of species A. However, species B began to decline at the same rate that species C began to rise. Because of the dramatic change in population density it can be assumed that species C invaded the niche of species B. By inhabiting the niche of species B species C created an environment of competition. This competition left both species with only one option...