Ecosystems can be reasonably stable over hundreds or thousands of years.
As any population of organisms grows, it is held in check by one or more
environmental factors: depletion of food or nesting sites, increased loss
to increased numbers of predators, or parasites. If a disaster such as
flood or fire occurs, the damaged ecosystem is likely to recover in stages
that eventually result in a system similar to the original one.
| NSES Content Standard C
Life Science: The interdependence of organisms Grades 9-12, page 186 Organisms both cooperate and compete in ecosystems. The interrelationships and interdependencies of these organisms may generate ecosystems that are stable for hundreds or thousands of years. NSES Content Standard C
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