All Flashcards
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.
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.
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.