All Flashcards
Explain the concept of ecosystem change.
Ecosystems are dynamic and constantly changing due to natural and anthropogenic factors.
What is the significance of resistance in an ecosystem?
High resistance means the ecosystem shows little change after a disturbance.
What is the significance of resilience in an ecosystem?
High resilience means the ecosystem recovers quickly after a disturbance.
Explain the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis.
Maximum species diversity occurs at an intermediate level of disturbance.
Why is moderate disturbance important for biodiversity?
Allows both early and late succession species to coexist.
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.
Define anthropogenic.
Caused by humans.
Define resistance (in ecology).
How much an ecosystem changes after a disturbance.
Define resilience (in ecology).
How quickly an ecosystem recovers from a disturbance.
Define early succession species.
Pioneer species that thrive in disturbed areas.
Define late succession species.
Species that require more stable conditions and come later in succession.