Ecosystem Stability

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What is an ecosystem?

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An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microorganisms) interacting with their physical environment (soil, water, and climate) in a specific area.

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What is ecosystem stability?

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Ecosystem stability refers to the ability of an ecosystem to maintain its structure and function over time, despite external stressors or changes.

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What is a food web?

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A food web is a complex network of feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem, showing how energy and nutrients flow through different trophic levels.

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What is the role of zooplankton in an ecosystem?

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Zooplankton are small, free-floating animals that serve as a crucial food source for larger organisms, playing a key role in aquatic food webs.

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What is carrying capacity?

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Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support without degrading the ecosystem.

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How does deforestation impact ecosystems?

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Deforestation can lead to habitat loss, decreased biodiversity, and disruption of food webs, resulting in population declines of various species.

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What is competition in an ecosystem?

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Competition occurs when two or more organisms vie for the same resources (food, space, mates) in an ecosystem, which can affect their survival and reproduction.

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What is a trophic level?

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A trophic level is a position in a food chain or food web, defined by how an organism obtains its energy, such as producers, primary consumers, and secondary consumers.

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What are primary producers?

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Primary producers are organisms, like plants and algae, that convert sunlight or inorganic substances into energy through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

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What is the significance of keystone species?

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Keystone species are organisms that have a disproportionately large impact on their ecosystem, and their removal can lead to significant changes in the community structure.