What is biological control?

Biological control refers to the use of living organisms or their natural predators to manage pest populations in an ecosystem. This approach involves utilizing natural enemies such as predators, parasites, or pathogens to suppress unwanted species, thereby reducing their population size without relying on synthetic chemicals. The emphasis is on harnessing ecological relationships and natural processes to achieve control over populations of pests, diseases, or invasive species, which can lead to more sustainable and environmentally friendly pest management strategies.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately define biological control. Chemical methods of pest control involve the use of synthetic pesticides, which can often have detrimental effects on the environment and non-target species. Artificial selection is a breeding technique focused on enhancing specific traits in organisms, which is related to agriculture and domestication rather than population control. Lastly, controlling weather patterns falls outside the realm of ecological management, as weather manipulation is a separate and complex issue unrelated to biological interactions within ecosystems.