4.5 - Natural Disruptions to Ecosystems

Question 1

What are natural disturbances?

Answer 1

A natural event that disrupts the structure and or function of an ecosystem

Question 2

T or F
Natural Disturbances can cause a greater effect than human disturbances?

Answer 2

True!
Think about all the Damage hurricanes and earthquakes cause

Question 3

What are the three time frames for natural disturbances?

Answer 3

1. Periodic
2. Episodic
3. Random

Question 4

Explain periodic natural disturbances

Answer 4

occurs with regular frequency (ex: dry-wet seasons)

Question 5

Explain episodic natural disturbances

Answer 5

occasional events with irregular frequency (ex: hurricanes, droughts, fires)

Question 6

Explain Random natural disturbances

Answer 6

no regular frequency (volcanoes, earthquakes, and asteroids)

Question 7

What is natural climate change?

Answer 7

• the earths climate varying over geologic time for numerous reasons
• sea level has varied over geologic time as glacial ice on earth melts and forms
• slight changes in orbit
• tilt causing ice ages and warmer periods as earth shifts slightly closer and farther to the sun

Question 8

What is caused by environmental change?

Answer 8

• habitat distribution
• major environmental disturbances result in widespread habitat changes or loses
  - rising sea levels flood costal and
  estuary habitat

Question 9

How to migration relate to disruptions?

Answer 9

• wildlife may migrate to a new habitat as the result of natural disruptions
• ocean species moving further north as water temperature warms
• bird migration and breeding shifting earlier as insect hatching shifts earlier in warmer climates
• wildebeest migrating to follow rain pattern in African Savannah