Transcript VII. Balance in the Ecosystem

VII. Balance in the Ecosystem
A. Interconnectedness
1. All life affects itself and the things
that surround it
2. All natural ecosystems are stable
a. Known as equilibrium
b. If they are not, they die
B. Replacement
1. An ecosystem destroyed by a
catastrophe will be replaced by a new
one
2. Very complex and not fully
understood
3. May be explained by the chaos
theory
a. Minor changes may affect the
ability of an ecosystem to function
at a later date
b. Known as the ripple effect
4. Species are becoming extinct at the
highest rate since the dinosaurs
a. Mostly due to human
interaction