Ecology of Ecosystems

Ecosystems are controlled both by external and internal factors; they can be both resistant or resilient to ecosystem disturbances.

A food web describes the flow of energy and nutrients through an ecosystem, while a food chain is a linear path through a food web.

Many different models are used to study ecosystem dynamics, including holistic, experimental, conceptual, analytical, and simulation models.

Conceptual models describe ecosystem structure, while analytical and simulation models use algorithms to predict ecosystem dynamics.