How do feedback loops affect ecosystems?

Can you explain how feedback loops work in ecosystems?

Sure! Feedback loops are processes where the output of a system influences its own input, creating a cycle. In ecosystems, this can mean that changes in one part of the ecosystem can amplify or dampen changes in another part.

Can you give me an example of a positive feedback loop in nature?

Absolutely! A classic example is the melting of polar ice. As ice melts, it reduces the Earth's albedo, meaning less sunlight is reflected away and more is absorbed, leading to further warming and more ice melt.

What about negative feedback loops? How do they work?

Negative feedback loops work to stabilize a system. For instance, in predator-prey relationships, if the prey population increases, the predator population may also rise, which can then reduce the prey population, stabilizing the ecosystem.

How do human activities impact these feedback loops?

Human activities, like deforestation and pollution, can disrupt natural feedback loops, leading to unintended consequences such as climate change and biodiversity loss.