EaR - Definitions

Question 1

Ecosystem

Answer 1

a dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro-organism communities and their non-living environment as a functional unit

Question 2

Nutrient Cycles

Answer 2

Systems where energy and matter are transferred between biotic and abiotic components of the environment. Natural ecosystems have several nutrient cycles in operation that continuously transfer materials throughout them.

Question 3

Carbon Cycle

Answer 3

The continuous transferral of carbon by processes such as photosynthesis or burning, through reservoirs. These reservoirs include organisms, the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. Organisms use carbon for growth.

Question 4

Nitrogen Cycle

Answer 4

The continuous cycle of nitrogen throughout reservoirs such as organisms, in soil in the lithosphere, or in the atmosphere.

Question 5

Resilience

Answer 5

The capacity of an ecosystem to resist dynamic changes in condition, absorb shocks, and maintain or recover key functions and processes.

Question 6

Dynamic Equilibrium

Answer 6

The established stability over thousands of years of an ecosystem despite constantly changing inputs and outputs. A change beyond the system’s dynamic equilibrium can result in permanent collapse and degradation.