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Biological Control (Natural Predators, Pathogens, Competitors)

Definition

Biological control involves using natural predators, pathogens (disease-causing microorganisms), or competitors to manage pests or invasive species in an ecosystem. It relies on the ecological relationships between organisms for pest management.

Analogy

Think of biological control as having a pet cat that keeps mice away from your house. Just like a cat naturally preys on mice and helps control their population without any human intervention, biological control utilizes natural enemies to regulate pest populations.

Related terms

Predation: Predation is an ecological relationship where one organism (predator) hunts and consumes another organism (prey). Natural predators used in biological control rely on predation to reduce pest populations.

Parasitism: Parasitism is a symbiotic relationship where one organism (parasite) benefits at the expense of another organism (host). Some parasites are used as biological controls by targeting specific pests.

Allelopathy: Allelopathy refers to the release of chemicals by plants that inhibit the growth or development of other nearby plants. Certain plants with allelopathic properties can be used as competitors against unwanted plant species in biological control strategies.