A habitat is a physical space that supports the survival of a given species or of individuals of a given species. They include both biotic factors, such as plants and bacteria, and abiotic factors, such as temperature and air quality. Human development and other disturbances can fragment or destroy habitats. This causes them to become spatially separated or otherwise degraded … [Read more...]
Resilience-Cameron Clark
There are a lot of slightly different definitions, but resilience is essentially a system's ability to absorb change and maintain itself despite disturbances. This relates to renewable natural resources because all resources rely on some sort of system to maintain themselves. For example, crops rely on the soil for nutrients, and the soil needs certain fungi to help cycle the … [Read more...]
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of genetic, species, or ecosystem variation between organisms or ecosystems in a given area, and can be used to determine the health of life in a given area. Jesse Alston … [Read more...]
Competitive Exclusion Principle – Polly Ukrop
Competitive/competition exclusion principle is when species cannot live in the same space for an extended amount of time due to the use of similar resources. When two or more species have the same diet, occupy the same habitat, use the same hiding spots, etc., one species will use the resources more efficiently thereby "competitively excluding" the other … [Read more...]
Nutrient Cycling and Recycling-Becky Johnson
Nutrient cycling and recycling is the movement of elements through ecosystem components. Nutrient cycling and recycling is a delicate balance. Within any system, an excess or lack of a specific nutrient(s) can be catastrophic. Human activity, such as development, pollution, or deforestation can severely alter/affect nutrient cycles in the environment. Wang, Deane. … [Read more...]