What is one method to assess the health of an ecosystem?

Analyzing species diversity and population dynamics is a method that provides significant insights into the health of an ecosystem. This approach encompasses the variety of species present within the ecosystem, including both the number of different species and the abundance of each species. High species diversity typically indicates a robust ecosystem that can better withstand environmental stresses and adapt to changes.

Understanding population dynamics, which involves studying how species populations change over time and interact with one another and their environment, allows for an evaluation of ecosystem stability and resilience. Healthy ecosystems usually have balanced populations where predator-prey relationships and competition among species contribute to overall stability, reflecting a well-functioning ecological community.

In contrast, relying solely on visual observation may overlook critical data and subtleties, while simply counting the number of trees does not account for the overall complexity of the ecosystem, including factors such as animal life and soil health. Surveying human activity is important for understanding human impacts, but it does not directly measure ecosystem health in biological terms. Thus, using species diversity and population dynamics provides a comprehensive understanding of the ecosystem's health and function.