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| evolution involving a series of reciprocal changes in two or more noninterbreeding populations that have a close ecological relationship and act as agents of natural selection for each other, as the succession of adaptations of a predator for pursuing and of its prey for fleeing or evading |
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the gradual and orderly process of change in an ecosystem brought about by the progressive replacement of one community by another until a stable climax is established |
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| an extremely plentiful or oversufficient quantity or supply |
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| A stage in ecological development in which a community of organisms, especially plants, is stable and capable of perpetuating itself |
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| A symbiotic relationship between two organisms of different species in which one derives some benefit while the other is unaffected. |
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| the struggle among organisms, both of the same and of different species, for food, space, and other vital requirements. |
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| the quality of being intricate and compounded |
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| The development through evolution of similar features by organisms with distinctly different ancestors. A common example of this is the evolution of wings in insects and birds. |
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| the process by which a species evolves into two or more descendant or different forms; also, the process of tracing two or more species back to a common ancestor |
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| the role that an animal or plant species plays in the environment, the status of an organism within its environment which affects its survival |
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| A transitional zone between two ecological communities, as between a forest and grassland or a river and its estuary. An ecotone has its own characteristics in addition to sharing certain characteristics of the two communities. |
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| the tendency toward greater variety and density of plant and animal populations in an ecotone. |
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| a process of gradual, peaceful, progressive change or development, as in social or economic structure or institutions. |
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| the natural environment of an organism; place that is natural for the life and growth of an organism |
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