Natural disasters

Predation

Competition

Parasitism

Disease

long gestation

large offspring number

high mortality of young

low parental investment

small body size

Only internal processes control and impact the ecosystem.

An ecosystem is not static: it can change over time.

An ecosystem describes the biotic and abiotic factors of the environment interacting.

An ecosystem is made up of interactions between multiple species.

Ecosystems can be terrestrial or aquatic.

vegetation

precipitation

temperature

humidity

elevation

Short life span

Large body size

Efficient use of energy

Slow maturation

Reproduction at a late age