BIO-1151 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Keystone Species, Euphorbia Esula, Rangeland
Document Summary
Introduction: ecosystems and communities change over time, cha(cid:374)ge is dri(cid:448)e(cid:374) (cid:271)y (cid:373)a(cid:374)y fa(cid:272)tors i(cid:374)(cid:272)ludi(cid:374)g a(cid:271)ioti(cid:272) (cid:272)o(cid:374)ditio(cid:374)s a(cid:374)d spe(cid:272)ies" tolera(cid:374)(cid:272)es, change can be rapid or slow, species will have to respond to climate change. Little or no soil exists, and the first species to occupy the area, known as primary colonizers, must be able to withstand high variability in temperatures and water availability and highly limited nutrients. Effects of human activities: humans influence ecological succession. Keep ecosystems in an early stage (agriculture) The ecosphere is a self-regulating homeostatic system in which the biotic and abiotic components interact to produce a balanced, constant state a highly integrated system with strong internal interactions. The ability of an ecosystem to withstand change, whereas resilience refers to the ability to recover to the original state following disturbance. Invasive species are second only to habitat destruction as a leading cause of biodiversity loss.
