Figure 6.16

Hawaiian honeycreepers – the original finch (now extinct) probably ate insects and nectar

cnx.org Concepts in Biology

An event caused by physical, chemical, or biological agents that results in changes in population size or community composition is a disturbance. Natural ecosystem disturbances include hurricanes, ice storms, tsunamis, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, and forest fires.

Note to students: Please browse the U.N. Millennium Ecosystem Assessment to view the summary of findings about the effect of human disturbance on global ecosystems.

Lake Succession

A series of changes (primarily increased

sedimentation and vegetation)In which a lake progresses from

oligotrophicto

mesotrophic to

eutrophicto

terrestrial

Newmark WD. 1995. Conservation Biology. 9(3): 512-526

Extinction of Mammal Populations in Western North American National Parks

Bryce CanyonCrater LakeGlacier-Waterton LakesGrand CanyonKootenay-Banff-Jasper-YohoLassen VolcanicManning ProvincialMount RainierOlympicRocky MountainSequoia-Kings CanyonYellowstone-Grand TetonYosemiteZion

Extinction of Mammal Populations in Western North American National Parks