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Ecological Disturbance

Ecological Disturbance

An ecological disturbance is a temporary disruption in the environment resulting from abiotic, biotic, or anthropogenic factors, causing a pronounced change in an ecosystem. The impact of an ecological disturbance, which can depend on its intensity, frequency, and spatial distribution, plays a significant role in shaping the species diversity within the ecosystem.

Ecological Succession

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2025

The Calibration and Use of Capacitance Sensors to Monitor Stem Water Content in Trees

The Calibration and Use of Capacitance Sensors to Monitor Stem Water Content in Trees

Published on: December 27, 2017

Critical transitions in the Amazon forest system.

Bernardo M Flores¹, Encarni Montoya², Boris Sakschewski³

¹Graduate Program in Ecology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil. mflores.bernardo@gmail.com.

|February 15, 2024

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The Amazon rainforest faces a critical tipping point due to climate change, deforestation, and fires. Urgent local and global action is needed to prevent widespread forest collapse and maintain ecosystem resilience.

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Area of Science:

Ecology
Climate Science
Environmental Science

Background:

Amazonian forests have historically shown resilience to climate variability for millions of years.
The Amazon is now facing unprecedented stress from rising temperatures, extreme droughts, deforestation, and fires.
Existing forest-environment feedbacks are shifting, increasing the risk of ecosystem collapse.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze key drivers of water stress in Amazonian forests.
To identify critical thresholds that could lead to forest collapse.
To project the future exposure of Amazonian forests to compounding disturbances.

Main Methods:

Analysis of existing evidence for five major drivers of water stress.
Spatial analysis of various disturbances.
Identification of plausible ecosystem trajectories based on disturbed forest examples.

Main Results:

By 2050, 10% to 47% of Amazonian forests may face compounding disturbances.
These disturbances could trigger unexpected ecosystem transitions and exacerbate climate change.
Three plausible ecosystem trajectories with different feedbacks and conditions were identified.

Conclusions:

The Amazon's resilience is threatened by novel feedbacks and increasing environmental stress.
Urgent local actions (halting deforestation, restoration) and global actions (reducing greenhouse gas emissions) are crucial.
While complexity adds uncertainty, it also highlights opportunities for effective conservation strategies.