Revised 24 May 2019

ECOSYSTEM ATTRIBUTE

GROWTH STAGE

CLIMAX

Energetics

1

Gross production/respiration (P/R) ratio

Greater than 1

Approaches 1

2

Net production (yield)

High

Low

4

Biomass supported/unit energy flow (B/E ratio)

Low

High

4

Food chains

Linear

Weblike

Structure

5

Species diversity

Low

High

6

Stratification and spatial heterogeneity (pattern diversity)

Poorly organised

Well organised

Life History

7

Life cycles

Short and simple

Long and complex

Nutrient and Energy Cycling

8

Mineral and energy cycles

Open

Closed

9

Nutrient and energy exchange rate

Rapid

Slow

Selection Pressure

10

Growth form

For rapid growth

For feedback control

11

Production

Quantity

Quality

Overall Homeostasis

12

Internal symbiosis

Underdeveloped

Developed

13

Recycling

Unimportant

Important

14

Stability (resistance to external stress)

Poor

Good

15

Entropy

High

Low

16

Information

Low

High