📚 Topic Summary
Ecosystem resilience refers to the ability of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances, such as fires, floods, or pollution, and return to its original state or a similar stable state. Ecosystem stability, on the other hand, describes the ecosystem's tendency to resist changes when subjected to disturbances. A resilient ecosystem is better equipped to handle environmental changes and maintain its biodiversity and essential functions. These two concepts are critical for understanding how ecosystems respond to natural and human-induced stressors.
🧪 Part A: Vocabulary
Match the terms with their definitions:
- Term: Biodiversity
- Term: Disturbance
- Term: Equilibrium
- Term: Keystone Species
- Term: Succession
- Definition: A gradual process of change and replacement of communities in an ecosystem over time.
- Definition: The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
- Definition: A state of balance in an ecosystem where populations and resources remain relatively constant.
- Definition: An event that disrupts an ecosystem's structure and function.
- Definition: A species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the ecosystem would change drastically.
| Term |
Definition |
| Biodiversity |
|
| Disturbance |
|
| Equilibrium |
|
| Keystone Species |
|
| Succession |
|
🌱 Part B: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following paragraph using the words provided:
(Resilience, Ecosystem, Stability, Disturbances, Biodiversity)
An __________'s __________ is its ability to resist change and maintain its structure and function when faced with __________. High __________ often contributes to greater __________, enabling the ecosystem to recover more effectively from disruptions.
🤔 Part C: Critical Thinking
Describe a local ecosystem and discuss specific strategies that could be implemented to enhance its resilience to future environmental changes.