Some remarks on disturbance and its relations to diversity and stability

Abstract

Abstract. The concept of disturbance is related to the concepts of stability and diversity. Some definitions of disturbance are reviewed and three dimensions of disturbance are recommended to be included in any treatment of disturbance: spatial extent, time involved, and magnitude. The distinction between patch disturbance and community disturbance is emphasised and it is recommended that the study of regeneration after disturbance be studied through patch dynamics. The small‐scale turnover of species is discussed and the concept of species turnaround time introduced by means of the carousel model. As an answer to a possible multiple choice question on the relation between the three concepts, ‘Disturbance for Stability’ and ‘Disturbance for Diversity’ are suggested.