Which term means a sudden breakdown of an ecosystem's normal functioning after growing instability?

Which term means a sudden breakdown of an ecosystem's normal functioning after growing instability?

• A. Extreme weather events
• B. Clear-air turbulence
• C. Ecosystem collapse
• D. Ecosystem volatility

Answer: (C)

When an ecosystem has been under stress and its normal functioning suddenly breaks down, we call that ecosystem collapse. This term specifically captures a rapid, large-scale loss of structure, processes, and the services the ecosystem provides, often after a period of accumulating instability that pushes the system past a tipping point. Extreme weather events are disturbances that can contribute to instability, but they describe a single event rather than a full, abrupt breakdown of the ecosystem’s functioning. Clear-air turbulence is unrelated to ecological processes. Ecosystem volatility refers to fluctuations or variability, not necessarily a complete collapse of function. So the term that best fits a sudden breakdown after growing instability is ecosystem collapse.

When an ecosystem has been under stress and its normal functioning suddenly breaks down, we call that ecosystem collapse. This term specifically captures a rapid, large-scale loss of structure, processes, and the services the ecosystem provides, often after a period of accumulating instability that pushes the system past a tipping point.

Extreme weather events are disturbances that can contribute to instability, but they describe a single event rather than a full, abrupt breakdown of the ecosystem’s functioning. Clear-air turbulence is unrelated to ecological processes. Ecosystem volatility refers to fluctuations or variability, not necessarily a complete collapse of function.

So the term that best fits a sudden breakdown after growing instability is ecosystem collapse.