Disturbance (ecology)
Disturbance (ecology) is a temporary change in environmental conditions that causes a pronounced change in an ecosystem. Disturbances often act quickly and with great effect, to alter the physical structure or arrangement of biotic and abiotic elements.
Pronunciation
/dɪˈstəːb(ə)ns/
Etymology
The term "disturbance" comes from the Latin "disturbare" meaning "to throw into disorder". In the context of ecology, it was first used in the mid-20th century to describe temporary changes in environmental conditions that can have significant impacts on ecosystems.
Related Terms
Description
A disturbance can be an event of intense environmental stress occurring over a relatively short period of time and causing a significant change in the ecosystem. Disturbances can have profound immediate effects on ecosystems and can, accordingly, greatly alter the natural community. This can result in a chain of events leading to a large-scale shift in the type of ecosystem present.
Disturbances can be categorized into two broad categories: abiotic disturbances and biotic disturbances. Abiotic disturbances include natural disasters such as fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. Biotic disturbances are caused by the activities of living organisms, such as the impact of diseases and pests, or human activities like deforestation and pollution.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Disturbance (ecology)
- Wikipedia's article - Disturbance (ecology)
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