| ecosystem dynamics | Those intrinsic ecological functions through which an ecosystem becomes self-regulating, self-sustaining, and capable of recovery from external forces (for example, damaging storm events). These intrinsic processes may cause continual change in biotic composition and structure at specific localities. Collectively, these changes represent internal flux, rather than substantive and permanent alteration of the ecosystem regionally. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| group dynamics | A term used to represent the study of underlying features of group behaviour, e.g., motives, attitudes; it is concerned with group change rather than with static characteristics. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| population dynamics | <epidemiology> The pattern of any process, or the interrelationship of phenomena, which affects growth or change within a population. (12 Dec 1998) |
| nonlinear dynamics | The study of systems which respond disproportionately (nonlinearly) to initial conditions or perturbing stimuli. Nonlinear systems may exhibit chaos which is classically characterised as sensitive dependence on initial conditions. Chaotic systems, while distinguished from more ordered periodic systems, are not random. When their behaviour over time is appropriately displayed (in phase space), constraints are evident which are described by strange attractors. Phase space representations of chaotic systems, or strange attractors, usually reveal fractal (fractals) self-similarity across time scales. Natural, including biological, systems often display nonlinear dynamics and chaos. (12 Dec 1998) |
| dynamics | 1. <physics> That branch of mechanics which treats of the motion of bodies . Dynamics is held by some recent writers to include statics and not kinematics. 2. The moving moral, as well as physical, forces of any kind, or the laws which relate to them. 3. That department of musical science which relates to, or treats of, the power of tones. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| parasite-host ecosystem | Complex of all parasite species and individuals associated with a specific host. Synonym: parasite-host ecosystem. Origin: parasite + G. Koinos, common, together (05 Mar 2000) |
| historic ecosystem | The ecosystem intended for restoration which currently exists, or has been known to exist from historical documents, within the geographic region of a restoration site. (09 Oct 1997) |
| ecosystem | <ecology> An ecosystem is the dynamic and interrelating complex of plant and animal communities and their associated non-living environment. The physical and climactic features and all the living and dead organisms in an area that are interrelated in the transfer of energy and material. An interacting complex of a community and its environment functioning as an ecological unit in nature. Differs from system in being a more rigorous definition that encompasses and requires assumptions of energetics, ecological interactions, species adaptations and so forth. (13 Nov 1997) |
| ecosystem altering | Any activity that modifies the biota including species composition, distribution, and abundance and any activity that modifies the physical environment, including soils and the water cycle. (09 Oct 1997) |
| ecosystem function | The collective intraspecific and interspecific interactions of the biota, such as primary and secondary production and mutualistic relationships. The interactions between organisms and the physical environment, such as nutrient cycling, soil development, water budgeting, and flammability. (09 Oct 1997) |
| ecosystem structure | The physical and spatial aspects of an ecosystem that are contributed by the biotic composition. Biotic composition is generally determined by the collective physiognomy of the dominant plants, including life forms, vertical stratification, and size. (09 Oct 1997) |