Knowra Ecological integrity Ecological integrity Ecological integrity is the condition in which an ecosystem retains its characteristic native species, processes, and relationships. It reflects the ecosystem’s capacity to sustain its organization and function over time.
Biodiversity : The variety of life across genes, species, and ecosystems. Native diversity is one measure of whether an ecosystem retains its characteristic living components.
Ecological indicator : A measurable feature used to assess an ecological condition or change. Indicators translate aspects of integrity into evidence that can be monitored.
Ecosystem health : An ecosystem’s condition in relation to its ability to maintain structure, function, and resilience. Health overlaps with integrity but can emphasize vitality and human-defined goals.
Ecological condition : The state of an ecosystem described through selected biological, chemical, or physical characteristics. Condition is a broad assessment term; integrity specifically concerns characteristic native organization and function.
Ecosystem : A community of organisms interacting with one another and with their physical environment. Integrity describes the condition of an ecosystem as an interacting whole.
Bioindicator : An organism or biological response whose presence or condition signals environmental change. Sensitive species can reveal pressures that broader ecosystem measures may miss.
Environmental impact assessment : A process for predicting and evaluating the environmental effects of proposed actions. Impact assessments can test how projects may alter valued ecological components and processes.
Ecological quality : The suitability of an environment for particular organisms, functions, or uses. Quality may be judged against a specific use, unlike integrity’s ecosystem-wide emphasis.
Ecological community : Populations of different species living and interacting in the same area. Community composition reveals whether characteristic native species remain present.
Ecosystem monitoring : Repeated observation of ecological variables to detect trends and assess conditions. Repeated measurements show whether integrity is stable, improving, or declining.
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