Towards a definition of ecological disturbance

Abstract

Abstract The terms disturbance, perturbation, and stress have been used in various ecological contexts, often synonymously, inconsistently and ambiguously. Consequently, the meaning of these terms lack any ecological rigor upon which to construct a coherent theory of ecosystem response to disturbance. Herein are some of the semantic and conceptual problems involved in defining disturbance, perturbation and stress, and proposals of working definitions as a basis for further discussion.