Stochastic Events

Question 1

What are stochastic events or processes?

Answer 1

Unpredictable or random events that occur in an ecosystem that can cause changes to populations and communities

Question 2

What do stochastic events introduce?

Answer 2

Unpredictability which affects survival, reproduction and biodiversity

Question 3

What are the different types of stochastic events?

Answer 3

Environmental stochasticity
Demographic stochasticity
Genetic stochasticity
Colonisation and extinction events

Question 4

What is environmental stochasticity?

Answer 4

Random changes in climate, weather patterns or natural disasters that impact ecosystems

Question 5

What is demographic stochasticity?

Answer 5

Random fluctuations in birth rates, death rates and population sizes, particularly small populations

Question 6

What is genetic stochasticity?

Answer 6

Random genetic mutations or genetic drift that influence species evolution and adaptation

Question 7

What is colonisation and extinction events?

Answer 7

Change dispersal of species to new habitats or random local extinctions due to environmental pressures