Disturbance
A disturbance is an event that changes the organism makeup of an ecosystem, making them ever-changing and dynamic
Key Ideas
Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis
The Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis suggests moderate levels of disturbance create more diversity than either small or high levels. This is because high levels of disturbance totally destroy ecosystems, while small levels of disturbance often only harm certain groups, allowing existing groups to fill their niches.
Ecological Succession
Ecological succession is the process that describes how a disturbed area's existing community is replaced by a set of new species, and then another, and then another.
Types of Disturbance
Natural
Natural disasters such as volcanoes, tsunamis, and hurricanes are the largest forms of ecological disturbance
Man-made
Though natural disasters are still very impactful, human activities such as trawling, deforestation, agriculture, and industry are the main drivers of ecosystem disturbance