Diversity
Galapagos Islands
Galapagos Islands
Located about 600 miles west of Ecuador
 Consists of 13 volcanic islands and
numerous islets and rocks
 Discovered by accident in 1535
 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
Natural Selection
Organisms with characteristics suited to
their environment will survive and produce
the most offspring
 “Survival of the fittest”
 Adaptations will be passed to future
generations

Niches
Role of an organism in an ecosystem
 Includes resources utilized, relationships,
and activities the organism engages
 Each species has its own niche

Terminology
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

Bird’s Feet
Diversity of Beak Forms
Diversity of Beak Forms
Diversity of Beak Forms
Habitat Requirements

What do you need to survive?
Habitat Requirements
Food
 Water
 Shelter
 Space

Biotic Potential
Limiting Factors
Interspecies competition
 Intraspecies competition
 Disease
 Predation
 Disasters
 Balance other factors such as birth rate,
early reproductive age.
 Effect is to increase death rate
 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
 Decrease available space
 Elimination of predators
