Effects of Disturbance

Abstract Natural ecosystems are not static. The plants and animals within them die and others are born to replace them. Energy and nutrients pass through the organisms and are removed from the system in water, by emigration or by ‘visitors’. If part of an ecosystem is destroyed in some way, the biotic community and the physical features of the soil will generally be rebuilt. This can take decades or even a thousand years depending on the ecosystem and the extent of the disturbance. The disturbed area is colonised by pioneer species which are gradually replaced by others until an ecosystem closely resembling the original is formed which is itself subject to disturbance. This sequence of changes is called succession. In areas where repeated disturbance occurs or where the process of succession is halted, an ecosystem may never have a chance to recover.