What causes an ecosystem to not be sustainable?

What causes an ecosystem to not be sustainable?

Unsustainable development occurs when present progress is at the expense of future generations. For example, irresponsible planning and environmental degradation through exploitation of resources generates waste and pollution that damages ecosystems. Such practices are not sustainable in the long term.

Why is an ecosystem with higher levels of biodiversity more stable than an ecosystem with lower levels of biodiversity?

Generally speaking, greater species diversity (alpha diversity) leads to greater ecosystem stability. This is termed the “diversity–stability hypothesis.” An ecosystem that has a greater number of species is more likely to withstand a disturbance than an ecosystem of the same size with a lower number of species.

What factors make an ecosystem sustainable?

The biodiversity of an ecosystem contributes to the sustainability of that ecosystem. Higher/more biodiversity = more sustainable. Lower/less biodiversity = less sustainable. High biodiversity in an ecosystem means that there is a great variety of genes and species in that ecosystem.

Why is an ecosystem with high index of diversity more favorable than the one with low index of diversity?

Greater biodiversity in ecosystems, species, and individuals leads to greater stability. For example, species with high genetic diversity and many populations that are adapted to a wide variety of conditions are more likely to be able to weather disturbances, disease, and climate change.

What are the causes of ecosystem change that can affect ecosystem stability?

Important direct drivers include habitat change, climate change, invasive species, overexploitation, and pollution. Most of the direct drivers of degradation in ecosystems and biodiversity currently remain constant or are growing in intensity in most ecosystems (see Figure 4.3).

How is ecosystem disturbed?

Many ecosystems are influenced by disturbances such as e.g. land-use, fragmentation, fire, floods or storms. In particular the interaction of different disturbances and between disturbances and other stress factors (such as habitat loss, pollution or temperature change) is not yet well understood and studied.

Why is an ecosystem with greater biodiversity more resilient than an ecosystem with less biodiversity?

Explain why an ecosystem with greater biodiversity is more resilient then an ecosystem with less biodiversity. AN ecosystem with greater biodiversity has more organisms that preform similar functions so it can recover faster from disturbances than an ecosystem with fewer organisms.

Why is an ecosystem with high biodiversity more resilient to change than an ecosystem with low biodiversity?

Increased alpha diversity (the number of species present) generally leads to greater stability, meaning an ecosystem that has a greater number of species is more likely to withstand a disturbance than an ecosystem of the same size with a lower number of species.

Which ecosystem is likely the most sustainable?

The forest ecosystem is most sustainable because most of the animals can eat other organisms. The food webs below model relationships among organisms in two ecosystems.

Why is sustainable ecosystem important?

Sustainability improves the quality of our lives, protects our ecosystem and preserves natural resources for future generations. Going green and sustainable is not only beneficial for the company; it also maximizes the benefits from an environmental focus in the long-term.

Why is it better for an ecosystem to have a high biodiversity?

Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all have an important role to play. A larger number of plant species means a greater variety of crops. Greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability for all life forms.

Does a community with high species richness have greater sustainability and productivity?

The study “increased the [species] richness… such that the feeding success of individuals [was] enhanced.” A greater species richness and diversity may cause ecosystems to function more efficiently and productively by making more resources available for other species within the ecosystem.

What is the productivity of an ecosystem?

An ecosystem “includes all living organisms in an area as well as its physical environment functioning together as a unit,” as stated by Biology Online. Measuring the increase in biomass of a specific area within a determined period of time establishes the productivity of ecosystems, as described by Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Why are rain forests the most productive ecosystems?

According to the World Wildlife Fund, “Rain forests are the most productive ecosystems on Earth, using the energy they generate for self-maintenance, reproduction and new growth.”. These forests can maintain a steady production of biomass throughout the year due to a continuous supply of light and rainfall in a warm climate.

How do forests contribute to a high degree of biodiversity?

These forests can maintain a steady production of biomass throughout the year due to a continuous supply of light and rainfall in a warm climate. This favors plant growth, the organisms that depend on these plants to thrive and the predators that feed on these organisms. All this growth contributes to a high degree of biodiversity.

What are the environmental factors that affect the distribution of biomes?

Source: Modified from Odum (1993). Figure 8.2. Environmental Influences on the Distribution of Terrestrial Biomes. This diagram suggests the reasons why temperature and moisture are believed to be the most important environmental factors affecting the distributions of terrestrial biomes. Source: Modified from Odum (1993).