Ecosystem Health

Definition

Ecosystem health refers to the overall condition and functioning of an ecosystem. It encompasses factors such as biodiversity, nutrient cycling, energy flow, and resilience against disturbances.

Analogy

Think of an orchestra playing harmoniously together with each instrument contributing its unique sound. In a healthy ecosystem, different species and ecological processes work together like the instruments in an orchestra to create a balanced and functioning system.

Related terms

Trophic Cascade: A series of changes that occur throughout the food web when a top predator is added or removed.

Resilience: The ability of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances and maintain its structure and function.

Indicator Species: Species whose presence, absence, or abundance can indicate specific environmental conditions or changes.