All Flashcards
What is the effect of glacier melting on coastal areas?
Leads to sea level rise and increased flooding.
What is the effect of low disturbance on species diversity?
Dominated by late succession species, leading to lower diversity.
What is the effect of high disturbance on species diversity?
Only early succession species can survive, leading to lower diversity.
How does climate change affect ecosystem resilience?
Can reduce resilience by causing more frequent and intense disturbances.
What is 'anthropogenic'?
Caused by humans.
Define 'resistance' in ecology.
How much an ecosystem changes after a disturbance; high resistance means little change.
Define 'resilience' in ecology.
How quickly an ecosystem recovers from a disturbance; high resilience means quick recovery.
What are 'early succession species'?
Pioneer species that thrive in disturbed areas, needing fewer nutrients.
What are 'late succession species'?
Species that require stable conditions and come later in ecological succession.
Define 'disturbance' in an ecosystem.
An event that disrupts ecosystem structure and function.
What is 'species diversity'?
The variety of different species within a given area.
What is meant by 'seasonal change'?
Changes that occur regularly, like hurricane season.
Define 'episodic change'.
Events that happen in stages, such as volcanic eruptions.
Define 'random change'.
Unpredictable events like a single lightning strike.
What is the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis?
Maximum species diversity occurs with an intermediate level of disturbance.
Explain the relationship between disturbance and biodiversity.
Too little or too much disturbance lowers biodiversity; intermediate disturbance maximizes it.
Why are early succession species important after a disturbance?
They can colonize disturbed areas quickly, stabilizing the environment.
How does climate change affect sea level?
Glaciers melt due to climate change, leading to increased sea level and coastal flooding.
Why is understanding change important in environmental science?
The Earth is dynamic; understanding change causes and effects is crucial.
What determines an ecosystem's resistance to change?
The ability of the ecosystem to withstand disturbances without significant damage.
What determines an ecosystem's resilience?
The speed at which an ecosystem can return to its original state after a disturbance.
Why is migration considered a type of change?
Migration is a seasonal change in animal populations in response to environmental conditions.
How do low disturbance levels affect species diversity?
Low disturbance levels lead to dominance by late succession species, resulting in lower diversity.
How do high disturbance levels affect species diversity?
High disturbance levels allow only early succession species to survive, leading to lower diversity.