1. How do ecosystems change??
Changes in Ecosystems!!!
How do ecosystems change??

2. Ecosystems can change- slowly or very quickly!
Over time, very slowly, a pond can change into a meadow. This happens due to eutrophication.
Ecosystems can change suddenly-due to catastrophic natural disasters.

3. Eutrophication
A pond begins to build up organic matter (dead stuff) and nutrients.
Over time, the dead organic matter settles to the bottom, and the pond becomes more shallow.
This process continues until the pond becomes very shallow, marsh- like, just wet ground, then finally it is completely filled in.
Grasses begin to grow, which attract insects and small animals, which attract larger animals- until- voila…a meadow!
This process can happen much quicker when fertilizers and excess phosphorus (from detergents) run off into the pond. (Makes plants grow quicker!)

4. Succession- the slow development or replacement of one ecological community by another ecological community
Primary succession
Secondary succession
A community may start to grow where there is no existing soil- glacier retreat, bare rock.
First organisms to appear are pioneer species- lichens and mosses- grow on rocks.
They help break up rock and form soil.
After many years, small plants, insects, and other small organisms move in
As soil increases through decomposing organisms and breaking rock, larger plants and animals move in.
Happens in areas that still have soil- after land use changes, fires, floods, other natural disasters.
First- wild plants start to grow.
New wild plants continue to grow.
Small trees start to appear after 5-15 years.

5. Biodiversity
The number and variety of species that are present in an ecosystem is biodiversity.
Biodiversity is important in an ecosystem. The more diverse an ecosystem is, the more stable it is.
A diverse ecosystem is less likely to be destroyed by a sudden change. Something will survive!!