Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit, and does not directly influence species diversity.

Competitive exclusion occurs when one species outcompetes another for resources, leading to the decline or disappearance of the latter.

Resource competition occurs when two or more species require the same limited resource, such as food, water, or shelter.

Predation is the process by which one organism (the predator) hunts and eats another organism (the prey).

Lions are predators that hunt and eat zebras, which are their prey.

Predation can drive natural selection in prey species, favoring traits that enhance their ability to avoid or escape predators.

Camouflage, mimicry, and warning coloration are all adaptations that can help prey species avoid detection or recognition by predators.

Competition can drive natural selection in species, favoring traits that enhance their ability to compete for resources.

Larger body size, increased reproductive rate, and improved foraging efficiency are all adaptations that can help species compete for resources.

Competition typically leads to reduced resource availability, not increased resource availability.

Wolves, lions, and sharks are all examples of keystone predators, which have a disproportionately large impact on their ecosystems relative to their abundance.

Top-down control refers to the regulation of a species' population size by its predators.

Predation is a classic example of a top-down control mechanism.

Bottom-up control refers to the regulation of a species' population size by its resources.

Resource availability is a classic example of a bottom-up control mechanism.