For my study, some ecological processes that do touch on my hypothesis include Resource Availability and Competition, and adaptation. Urban environments often introduce human food which can alter squirrels natural foraging habits and population density. My research may also touch on ideas related to evolutionary fitness. Urbanization can act as a selective pressure, where only those with traits that help them cope with human activity survive and reproduce. Over time, these selective pressures could lead to changes in squirrel populations, favouring traits that allow individuals to thrive in urban environments.
On the other hand, ideas that underpin my studies include Habitat Fragmentation, and stress ecology. One of the primary ecological concepts my research engages with is habitat fragmentation, where human development such as recreational areas and roads breaks down natural habitats into smaller, isolated patches. Fragmentation reduces available space and resources for squirrels, forcing them into smaller areas that may not support the same population density as undisturbed habitats. Another idea in my study is stress ecology where frequent human activity introduces stressors such as noise, and pollution.
3 word: habitat fragmentation, Adaptation, Abundance
You have lots of background to sort through and decide how to frame your intro for your paper.