Chapter 3: The Smallest Ecosystem

1/13/2021

Sala describes how complex ecosystems work according to various population sizes in this chapter, and includes a lot of references to the work of Russian biologist and evolutionist Georgy Gause. An overview of his experimental research suggests that two species can live in the same ecosystem even when they compete for the same resources, and that the species that has an advantage over use of the resources is typically more dominant (numerous in population) than the other.

Reading and Discussion Questions

Answer the following questions in the comments section below after you've finished reading the chapter:

What main concepts about competing populations can be taken away from Georgyi Frantsevich Gause's research?
What is your main takeaway from this chapter? What were your favorite points made by the author?

Read the article linked below, and then answer the following questions:
1. How do you feel about viewing humans as a predator species?
2. How do humans differ from all other predator species?

Article: Humans are Predators of At Least One Third of All Vertebrate Species