AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -As we use chemicals, remove trees, move water, and change the landscape to fit our needs, we affect ecosystems. We may introduce non-native species that disrupt an ecosystem or pollute the air and cause climate change. Most human impact is negative because it places undue pressure on ecosystems to adapt.

Detailed explanation-2: -Natural disturbances include fires, insect outbreaks, disease epidemics, droughts, floods, hurricanes, windstorms, landslides, avalanches, and volcanic eruptions. In terms of frequency and area affected, the two major natural disturbances affecting wilderness areas are fire and insect outbreaks.

Detailed explanation-3: -The change a terrestrial ecosystem experiences as it recovers from a disturbance depends on the intensity and magnitude of the disturbance. The major mechanisms of recovery in such ecosystems are primary and secondary succession. Primary succession occurs in a landscape that previously was devoid of life.

Detailed explanation-4: -Environmental degradation It is defined as any change or disturbance to the environment perceived to be deleterious or undesirable.