A soup of micro-organisms. Usually refers to all the zooplankton and algae in the ocean but can also be used to describe tiny insects in the atmosphere (see aerial plankton).
Archives
(of endangered species). A list of current conservation status for all the world’s known species. The list is administered by the International Union for the ConservationWhy is animal conservation important? …
Referring to an ecosystem’s ability to maintain a steady stable-state(of an ecosystem) where free surplus energy is minimised, where there is maximum entropy production and minimum waste. In such a …
Shy Albatross are a signal of ocean health and breed on sub-Antarctic islands. Their population has halved in the last 35 years
The characteristic of a landscape of sounds that is interpreted by animal minds and dictates their behaviour and response to other animals and features of the environment.
The number of species within a given area. Note, this is often confused with biodiversityWhat is the definition of biodiversity? When we ask, what is the definition of biodiversity? It …
(of an ecosystemHow ecosystems function An ecosystem is a community of lifeforms that interact in such an optimal way that how ecosystems function best, is when all components (including humans …
ThermodynamicsThermodynamics are at the heart of our understanding of ecosystems and not an altogether difficult concept to grasp but one that isn’t widely taught to ecologists. Basically, all life on …
The rapid move of an ecosystem from one steady state to another state. EcosystemsHow ecosystems function An ecosystem is a community of lifeforms that interact in such an optimal way …
(of nutrientsEnergy and nutrients are the same thing. Plants capture energy from the Sun and store it in chemicals, via the process of photosynthesis. The excess greenery and waste that …
