Succession and Disturbance

Question 1

Disturbance

Answer 1

periodic change, destruction, or removal of ecosystem components
may cause large-scale ecosystem changes
often followed by recovery period

Question 2

Minor/local disturbances

Answer 2

treefalls

animal burrows or wallows

Question 3

severe/regional disturbances

Answer 3

fires
floods
hurricanes
clear-cuts
development

Question 4

Discrete disturbances

Answer 4

clear beginning and end
windstorm
avalanche

Question 5

Constant disturbances

Answer 5

continuous, with no clear end
pollution
timber/wood harvesting

Question 6

natural disturbance

Answer 6

often integral part of functioning of many ecosystems

Biological diversity may depend on natural distubances

Question 7

Anthropogenic disturbances

Answer 7

human-caused

often negatively impacts biodiversity

Question 8

Ecological succession

Answer 8

Process of community development over time until a relatively stable stage in a community development is reached, called a climax community

Question 9

Human activities can alter disturbance patterns

Answer 9

modify existing disturbance regimes
restore pre-existing conditions
change species composition/introduce species
may push systems beyond disturbance tolerance limits

Question 10

Beaver activities cause

Answer 10

non-riparian adapted vegetation species to die

slow water flows and increased sediment deposition