Chat with AIExam 19: Systems Ecology
Explain resilience and resistance with regard to ecosystem function. Explain the implications if a system enters into an alternative stable state.
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Answered by Examlex AI CopilotResilience and resistance are two important concepts in understanding ecosystem function.
Resilience refers to the ability of an ecosystem to withstand and recover from disturbances, such as natural disasters or human impacts. A resilient ecosystem can maintain its structure and function even when faced with these challenges. This can be due to the presence of diverse species, redundant ecological functions, or flexible processes that allow the ecosystem to adapt to changing conditions.
Resistance, on the other hand, refers to the ability of an ecosystem to resist changes and maintain its current state in the face of disturbances. A resistant ecosystem may be less affected by external pressures and can continue to function as it has been, without significant alterations.
If a system enters into an alternative stable state, it means that it has shifted to a new set of conditions and processes that are different from its original state. This can have significant implications for ecosystem function. For example, a shift to an alternative stable state may result in changes to species composition, nutrient cycling, and overall ecosystem dynamics. This can impact the services that the ecosystem provides, such as clean water, air purification, and habitat for wildlife.
In some cases, a shift to an alternative stable state may lead to a loss of resilience and resistance, making the ecosystem more vulnerable to further disturbances. This can have cascading effects on the surrounding environment and human communities that depend on the ecosystem for resources and services.
Understanding resilience and resistance is crucial for managing and conserving ecosystems, as it can help us anticipate and mitigate the impacts of disturbances and prevent shifts to alternative stable states that may have negative consequences. By promoting resilience and resistance, we can support the long-term health and sustainability of ecosystems and the benefits they provide to society.
A large, artificial system used for experimental purposes is a
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VerifiedB
According to Gaia supporters, the critical components of system function for the planet are located in the
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Ecosystem ecology identifies each ecosystem as discrete entities with defined barriers.
(33) Answer: See Figure 19.6
Type: ES
Topic: Section 19.4
-Explain how diversity and ecosystem function can be related to each other through:
1. functional redundancy, 2. singularity, and 3. keystone concept.
(34) The concept that ecosystems optimize resource use, when more species in many niche dimensions exist together, is known as
(36) The species diversity in a given ecosystem is known as ________ diversity.
(50) Stress thresholds that, once surpassed, shift an ecosystem into an alternative stable state are known as
(38) In all experimental studies to date, the effect of increasing nutrient availability to plants has been to ________ plant diversity.
(31) David Tilman's study on grassland communities showed that productivity and biomass ________ with increased species richness.
(44) The tendency to return to a particular trajectory is known as
(34) Competition for below ground resources is considered to be asymmetric because larger plants have a disproportionate advantage in competition for those resources.
(39) Increasing nutrient availability tends to ________ plant diversity in a community.
(35) Studying ecosystems on a macrocosm scale is more accurate than microcosm-based research.
(29) Ecosystem ecologists prefer to view each species individually rather than place them into functional groups.
(37) The concept that the entire biosphere is one superorganism is called
(40) An ecosystem that can remain viable as it shifts to a new stable state is considered to be
(37) Define the diversity-stability hypothesis and the biodiversity-ecosystem functioning (BEF)hypothesis.
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