How Do Ecosystems Function?
Sand Dunes [Animation] Ecosystems vary in size. They can involve the whole planet, a rainforest, a pond, an ocean or a log. Other examples of ecosystems include: Aquatic, coral reef, desert, human, marine, littoral zone, savanna, woodland, tundra, urban, grassland, mountain and sand dune. The Sand Dunes animation illustrates how an ecosystem functions. It demonstrates how a community of plants and animals is established and supported around the formation of sand dunes. There are many complex relationships and processes involved in a balanced, healthy ecosystem. We are often unaware of the effects of change to these ecosystem relationships and functions. Disturbances to the natural balance of an ecosystem, for example the introduction of an introduced species, can be disruptive and lead to ecological collapse, species loss or individual deaths; and ultimately result in a change in state or condition of the ecosystem. Ecosystems that have the ability to adapt to changes and disturbances,
