Ecosystem Dynamics and Sustainability Review

Food Chain

Single sequence of organisms showing energy transfer.

Food Web

Complex network of interconnected food chains.

Biodiversity

Variety of organisms in a specific habitat.

Ecosystem Services

Benefits provided by healthy ecosystems to humans.

Sustainability

Maintaining ecosystem balance for thriving populations.

Overharvesting

Exceeding species' natural reproductive capacity.

Primary Succession

Development of life in barren, lifeless areas.

Pioneer Species

First organisms to colonize barren environments.

Climax Community

Stable ecosystem with little species change.

Secondary Succession

Recovery of ecosystem after disturbance with soil.

Little Ice Age

Period of regional cooling from 1300 to 1850.

Disturbance

Event partially destroying existing ecosystems.

Invasive Species

Non-native species disrupting local ecosystems.

Ecological Balance

Equilibrium among species and their environment.

Resource Utilization

Using resources sustainably within an ecosystem.

Environmental Change

Alterations in ecosystem conditions affecting species.

Carbon Sequestration

Process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon.

Habitat Restoration

Rehabilitating degraded ecosystems to original state.

Pollution Reduction

Minimizing harmful substances in the environment.

Ecosystem Resilience

Ability of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances.

Genetic Variation

Diversity of genes within a species population.

Food Security

Access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.

Ecological Disruption

Interference with normal ecosystem functioning.

Soil Development

Formation of soil through organic matter accumulation.

Glacial Expansion

Growth of glaciers due to cooler temperatures.

Crop Failures

Reduced agricultural yield due to adverse conditions.

Famine

Severe shortage of food affecting populations.

Ecosystem Health

Condition of an ecosystem's structure and function.

Eutrophication

Nutrient overload in water, causing excessive algae growth.

Dynamic Equilibrium

Balanced state with constant changes, maintaining stability.

Biodiversity Index

Ratio of species count to total organisms in an area.

Sustainable Ecosystem

High biodiversity, balanced energy flow, adaptive recovery.

Trophic Levels

Feeding positions in an ecosystem's food chain.

10% Rule

Only 10% of energy transfers to the next trophic level.

Grassland Ecosystem

Region dominated by grasses, supporting diverse wildlife.

Ecosystem Stability

Ability to withstand disturbances due to biodiversity.

Nutrient Overload

Excess nutrients leading to ecological imbalance.

Habitat Loss

Reduction of living spaces for species due to human activities.

Ecological Roles

Functions species perform within their ecosystem.

Species Interdependence

Reliance of species on each other for survival.

Predator-Prey Dynamics

Interactions that regulate populations of species.

Ecosystem Recovery

Process of regaining stability after a disturbance.

Nutrient Cycling

Movement of nutrients through ecosystems, essential for life.

Aquatic Life

Organisms living in water, affected by eutrophication.

Species Diversity

Variety of species within a given ecosystem.

Energy Pyramid

Visual representation of energy flow in ecosystems.

Ecological Disturbance

Event disrupting ecosystem structure and function.

Natural Selection

Process where organisms better adapted survive and reproduce.

Species Extinction

Permanent loss of a species from the ecosystem.

Habitat Fragmentation

Breaking up of habitats into smaller, isolated patches.

Ecological Succession

Gradual process of change and replacement in ecosystems.