All Flashcards
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 effect of glacier melting?
Causes sea level rise and increased coastal flooding.
What is the effect of intermediate disturbance?
Allows coexistence of early and late succession species, maximizing diversity.
What is the effect of high disturbance?
Only early succession species can survive, leading to lower diversity.
What is the effect of low disturbance?
Dominated by late succession species, leading to lower diversity.
What is the effect of anthropogenic climate change?
Increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters, impacting ecosystem resilience.
What is the effect of a volcanic eruption?
Destroys existing habitats, leading to primary succession and changes in species composition.
What is the effect of deforestation?
Reduces habitat availability, increases soil erosion, and decreases biodiversity.
What is the effect of pollution?
Contaminates resources, harms organisms, and disrupts ecosystem processes.
What is the effect of invasive species?
Outcompetes native species, alters food webs, and reduces biodiversity.
What is the effect of habitat fragmentation?
Reduces habitat size, isolates populations, and decreases genetic diversity.
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.