Ecological Examples of Dynamic Equilibrium Dynamic equilibrium means that there is a balance between different things that happen in nature, like plants growing and decaying, or animals eating and being eaten. Things change, but through negative feedback, ecosystems tend to stabilize. This balance is important because it helps ecosystems stay healthy and able to recover from disturbances, like fires or storms. It also helps support different kinds of plants and animals, and keeps important things like nutrients and carbon cycling through the ecosystem. It's important for us to understand these systems so that we can work to create a more sustainable future for all life on Earth. Type of Dynamic Equilibrium Descriptions Predator-Prey Relationship In a balanced ecosystem, the populations of predators and prey are kept in check, preventing overpopulation or extinction. For example, the population of snowshoe hare (prey) and Canadian Lynx (predator) in an ecosystem could demonstrate ecological dynamic equilibrium. When the rabbit population increases, the fox population has more food and can grow. As the fox population grows, it reduces the rabbit population, which in turn causes the fox population to decrease due to less food availability. This cycle continues and maintains a dynamic equilibrium in the ecosystem. (Textbook pg 54) Competition In an ecosystem, species often compete for limited resources like food, water, and space. The dynamic equilibrium in this context is the balance between the number of individuals competing for these resources and the resources available. This competition can lead to adaptations, such as unique feeding strategies or specialized structures, that allow species to coexist. ● Interspecific competition occurs between individuals of different species ○ How do different species compete? What are they competing for? ● Intraspecific competition occurs between individuals of the same species ○ How do members of the same species compete? What are they competing for? How is this different from interspecific competition? Invasive species (textbook pg 91)are examples of how interspecific competition between species can disrupt equilibrium, by outcompeting native species for resources such as food or habitat. This can cause a decline in biodiversity and destabilize the ecosystem, making it less resilient and therefore less healthy over time. Here’s a video about invasive goldfish (yes goldfish) in Canada. Nutrient Cycling Nutrients like nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus are essential for plant growth and are continually cycled between living organisms and the environment. In a balanced ecosystem, the rate of nutrient uptake by plants is equal to the rate of nutrient release from decomposing organisms and other processes. This equilibrium ensures that the ecosystem remains stable and can support plant and animal life.(Textbook pgs 48 - 51) Symbiosis Succession There are various types of symbiotic relationships between species, such as mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism. In mutualism, both species benefit from the relationship, while in commensalism, one species benefits, and the other is unaffected. In parasitism, one species, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the host. These relationships can promote stability in ecosystems by maintaining the balance between the species involved. (Textbook pg 54) Ecological succession is the process of change in the species structure of an ecological community over time. Primary succession occurs in newly formed habitats, like after a volcanic eruption or glacier retreat, while secondary succession occurs after a disturbance, like a forest fire or human activity. In a dynamic equilibrium, the process of succession helps to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem stability. Sometimes forest fires are good. Forest fires are what we call secondary succession.
