They are mathematically complex models that are good at predicting components of ecosystems such as food chains. However, their accuracy is limited by their simplification of complex ecosystems. Like analytical models, simulation models use complex algorithms to predict ecosystem dynamics. However, sophisticated computer programs have enabled simulation models to predict responses in complex ecosystems.
Simulation models use numerical techniques to solve problems for which analytic solutions are impractical or impossible. These kinds of models tend to be more widely used. They are generally considered more ecologically realistic, while analytic models are valued for their mathematical elegance and explanatory power. These simulations are considered to be the most accurate and predictive of ecosystem dynamics.
Privacy Policy. Skip to main content. Search for:. Ecology of Ecosystems. Ecosystem Dynamics Ecosystems are controlled both by external and internal factors; they can be both resistant or resilient to ecosystem disturbances.
Learning Objectives Explain ecosystem dynamics. Key Takeaways Key Points Biotic and abiotic factors interact through nutrient cycles and energy flows. External factors control resource inputs and are not influenced by the ecosystem itself. Internal factors are processes that exist within the ecosystem, such as decomposition, succession, and the types of species present.
While in equilibrium, an ecosystem can recover from small changes through negative feedback, returning to its original state. Key Terms resilience : the speed with which an ecosystem returns to its initial state after a disturbance equilibrium : the condition of a system in which competing influences are balanced, resulting in no net change resistance : the tendency of a system to remain close to its equilibrium state, despite disturbances.
Food Chains and Food Webs A food web describes the flow of energy and nutrients through an ecosystem, while a food chain is a linear path through a food web.
Learning Objectives Distinguish between food chains and food webs as models of energy flow in ecosystems. Key Takeaways Key Points Organisms can be organized into trophic levels: primary producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer, and tertiary or higher-order consumer.
Energy decreases in each successive trophic level, preventing more than four or five levels in a food chain. An ecosystem usually has two different types of food webs: a grazing food web based on photosynthetic plants or algae, along with a detrital food web based on decomposers such as fungi. There are different types of food webs including grazing food webs based on photosynthetic plants such as algae or detrital food webs based on decomposers such as fungi.
Key Terms detritivore : an organism that feeds on detritus; a decomposer food chain : the feeding relationships between species in a biotic community; a linear path through a food web trophic level : a particular position occupied by a group of organisms in a food chain primary producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer, or tertiary consumer. Studying Ecosystem Dynamics Many different models are used to study ecosystem dynamics, including holistic, experimental, conceptual, analytical, and simulation models.
Learning Objectives Differentiate between conceptual, analytical, and simulation models of ecosystem dynamics, and mesocosm and microcosm research studies. Key Takeaways Key Points A holistic ecosystem model quantifies the dynamics of an entire ecosystem.
Scientists can use experimental systems, such as a microcosms or mesocosms, to study ecosystems under controlled laboratory conditions.
A conceptual model uses flow charts to show the interactions between living and nonliving components of the ecosystem. A simulation model predicts the effects of environmental disturbances using complex computer algorithms; they are usually fairly-reliable predictors. Key Terms mesocosm : a small portion of the natural environment that is brought under controlled conditions for experimental purposes microcosm : an artificial, simplified ecosystem that is used to simulate and predict the behaviour of natural ecosystems under controlled conditions.
Modeling Ecosystem Dynamics Conceptual models describe ecosystem structure, while analytical and simulation models use algorithms to predict ecosystem dynamics. Learning Objectives Compare and contrast conceptual, analytical, and simulation models of ecosystem dynamics. Key Takeaways Key Points Conceptual models are often flow charts that demonstrate the relationships between different organisms in a community and their environment, including the transfer of energy and nutrients.
Analytical models use mathematical equations to predict and describe simple, linear components of ecosystems, such as food chains. Simulation models use computer algorithms to predict ecosystem dynamics; they are considered the most ecologically-realistic and accurate.
Key Terms conceptual model : a model that is represented by conceptual representations of the relationships between different organisms in a community and their environment analytical model : a model that works best when dealing with relatively simple often linear systems, specifically those that can be accurately described by a set of mathematical equations whose behavior is well known simulation model : a model that utilizes mathematical algorithms to predict complex responses in ecosystem dynamics.
What can we do to prevent undesirable threshold changes in ecosystems? Or, put another way, what can we do to increase the resistance and resilience of ecosystems? This is an active topic of research at the Cary Institute; some ideas are emerging.
First is to maintain a diversity of plants and animals in an ecosystem. Humans have a tendency to simplify ecosystems to maximize one particular output. But this makes them more vulnerable to collapse or sudden change and should be avoided. Second is to minimize multiple stresses. As illustrated with the earlier examples, threshold changes are often associated with a combination of stresses, such as excess nutrients, species loss and overharvesting.
A diversity of flora and fauna is good. A diversity of environmental stressors is not. This seems straightforward enough, but in today's changing world managing ecological thresholds is one of the greatest challenges facing environmental scientists. The carpet bombing of the lush green forests during the Vietnam war led to the loss of habitat of many species.
Special features on population and the environment show how population has increased from the industrial age and how it will affect the environment. There are additional resources for higher classes. In the name of development, we remove trees and vegetation, change how we use land, and keep expanding paved areas.
All these not only affect the soil ecology, but also the water balance. Increased urbanization also requires more water to feed the city's population and industry, often requiring deeper and deeper wells to be drilled or water to be moved from even more distant locations. Increase of pavement area not lonely lessens the amount of water vapour that transpires back from the vegetation but also contributes to groundwater pollution if the salt used to melt road ice were allowed to runoff into the natural drainage system.
Visit this site for a detailed look at water as a precious resource and how human development affects water and its ecosystem. A rich diversity of species sustains a balanced ecosystem.
While humanity relies on balanced ecosystems for the pollination of plants, healthy soil, fish and meat, there are often negative consequences of human interaction. The introduction of waste be it industrial, agricultural etc. Clear-cutting timber leads to soil erosion and habitat destruction. The delicate ecosystems of rain forests have been threatened by such land conversion. Overfishing leads to disrupted food webs in the ocean. Encroachment of human populations into formerly sheltered ecosystems threatens them.
Fortunately, sustainable practices can offset human activity. Some examples include implementing fish quotas, using biofuels and replanting forests.
She spent nine years working in laboratory and clinical research. A lifelong writer, Dianne is also a content manager and science fiction and fantasy novelist. Dianne features science as well as writing topics on her website, jdiannedotson. TL;DR Too Long; Didn't Read A balanced ecosystem represents a sustainable habitat of interdependent animals, plants, and microorganisms and their environment.
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