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What Are Changes That Occur Over Time to Ecosystems?

Ecosystem change is a part of the natural cycle inherent to a given habitat. An ecosystem can change gradually over time. These changes are consistent with the balance between the air, water, land and life forms of the habitat, and generally do not result in violent responses. More extreme responses are possible when a sudden, large shift takes place, either due to a natural event of sufficient magnitude or human intervention. Not all ecosystem changes are damaging. Many changes simply maintain the cohesion of the interdependent elements of the system.

Climate
- Decreased cover from deforestation results in higher average temperatures.
  
  Climate change has been front-page news for years. The idea that the entire globe is heating up as a result of greenhouse gases remains a part of the political debate. While experts debate the nature and degree of this phenomenon, climate is one element of an ecosystem that does change over time.
  
  Changes in weather patterns have widespread effects on a variety of environmental elements. Decreased precipitation can result in water shortages, which in turn affect organic populations. Increased heat frequently results in an overabundance of certain types of organisms. In marine ecosystems, algal blooms are common with increased temperature. These blooms can result in fish-kills. Fish shortages affect not only human beings, but animal populations in the nearby area. Decreased temperatures, on the other hand, can force migration of animals with minimal resistance to cold weather. Mass migrations can result in dangerously high biomass in a given area. Increased predation decreases population sizes for food plants and animals, which eventually results in starvation among the consumers.
Land
- Careless farming has far-reaching environmental effects.
  
  The shape and composition of the land plays a key role in the ecosystem. These roles can include the impressive effects of mountains on weather patterns and erosion and their relationship to local life forms. One famous example of land changes that had a widespread effect was the Dust Bowl of the Depression-era United States. Overfarming in the middle of the country resulted in vastly depleted mineral resources in the soil and massive erosion from both wind and water. The result was a desolate, windblown area across the Heartland that helped to create the economic woes of the day.
Water
- Large hydroelectric dams disrupt fish populations and increase insect populations.
  
  One of the most profound types of ecosystem change is a change in the water supply. This can result from redirection of the water supply (dam building), climate change (decreased average rainfall), or increased toxicity of the water supply, among other changes. Redirection of water frequently creates an imbalance in the local pattern of life. Former wetlands become less fertile, resulting in reduced plant and animal populations. Meanwhile, the newly created water form begins to support an overabundance of life, which can result in disease and predators that are overproductive. Climate changes have similar results to water supply redirection. Life forms exposed to drastically different environments may be ill-suited for survival, which disrupts the food chain.
Life
- An overabundance of mosquitos caused by new water forms can create dangers of disease.
  
  The balance of life forms in an ecosystem is a key element in understanding ecosystem change. The relationship of one life form to another creates the structure of the local environment. When these relationships are disrupted, it can have far-reaching results. Examples of changes in local life that disrupt the natural cycles include the introduction of foreign species, disease or mico-organic outbreaks, mass die-offs of local organisms, and decreased biodiversity. All of these changes can cause dangerous imbalances in the local ecosystem.

Nature