Ecological Systems
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Natural communities don’t exist in isolation, but rather occur in a larger context called ecological systems. Ecological systems consist of groups of natural communities that tend to occur together and that share certain natural processes, such as flooding or fire. Harpers Ferry’s natural communities belong to 10 ecological systems.
Ecobit: Natural Processes are Bigger Than Natural Communities
Ecological systems, with their natural processes, provide a helpful context in which to understand natural communities and help predict what types of plants and animals might thrive there: You wouldn’t expect to find a water-loving, flood-adapted natural community on a dry ridgetop, nor would you expect to find a fire-adapted natural community along the banks of a river.
Explore These Ecological Systems of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park: