What fundamentally characterizes ecosystem collapse?
Answer
A process where a system loses its structure, function, and the ability to recover its former state
Ecosystem collapse is defined as a profound reorganization where a system loses its structure and function, rendering it incapable of regaining its previous state on human timescales.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fundamentally characterizes ecosystem collapse?Which of the following is NOT listed as one of the five main drivers accelerating ecosystem collapse?What element, following the initial shock of the Permian-Triassic extinction, severely hampered ecosystem recovery for millions of years?What term describes processes where initial environmental damage sets off a chain reaction that accelerates the degradation process itself?What do some mathematical models suggest about systems exhibiting high diversity and complex interactions regarding collapse timing?What effect can the removal of a keystone species have on an ecosystem structure?How does functional redundancy influence an ecosystem's resilience?In the coral reef example illustrating risk interplay, what external event physically damaged the weakened structure after chemical and temperature stress?What is a major hurdle in conservation efforts regarding slow decline?How does the physical architecture of an ecosystem, such as a complex, three-dimensional structure, contribute to stability?