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Disruptions are events that affect the biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) parts of an ecosystem. Natural disruptions happen on their own, such as hurricanes or volcanic eruptions. Human-caused disruptions are caused by people, such as climate change, overfishing, and pollution. These events can change where organisms live, what they eat, and how energy moves through the food web.

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Credits:
Bird call: “XC940355, Red Crossbill, Loxia curvirostra type 4” by Annie Finch, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0): https://xeno-canto.org/940355

“Emerald Lake, Yukon, Canada” by Diego Delso, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-SA 4.0): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lago_Esmeralda,_Yuk%C3%B3n,_Canad%C3%A1,_2017-08-26,_DD_129.jpg

“Windthrow Lynn Canal 2011 Tongass 2” by USDA Forest Service/Robin Mulvey, public domain: https://www.flickr.com/photos/194703066@N07/51953196016/in/album-72177720297450325/

“Bole snap Three Lakes Trail 2012 Tongass” by USDA Forest Service/Robin Mulvey, public domain: https://www.flickr.com/photos/194703066@N07/51953269148/in/album-72177720297450325

“Figure 2” and “Figure 19” by Christopher P. Quine and Barry A. Gardiner (2007), public domain: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284949536_Understanding_how_the_interaction_of_wind_and_trees_results_in_windthrow_stem_breakage_and_canopy_gap_formation

“Taiga Landscape in Canada” by peupleloup, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-SA 2.0): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Taiga_Landscape_in_Canada.jpg

“Dark Clouds over Finnish Forest or Beauty of Forest Industry?” by Nina Laakso, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 2.0): https://www.flickr.com/photos/talaakso/36230566253

“Windthrow, Butterdean” by Richard Webb, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-SA 2.0): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Windthrow,_Butterdean_-_geograph.org.uk_-_7102391.jpg

“Windthrow at Tangier Grand Lake, May 2024” by NSEasternShoreChemist, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Windthrow_at_Tangier_Grand_Lake,_May_2024.jpg

“Sangre de Cristo blow down” by Beach drifter, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-SA 4.0): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sangredecristoblowdown.jpg