Ecosystem or ecological stability refers to capability of a natural ecosystem to apply self-regulating mechanisms so as to return to a steady state after an outside disturbance. Ecosystem stability meant there is a balance between production and consumption of each element in the ecosystem. The number of each species in a mature ecosystem generally remains constant.
The self regulatory mechanisms are also called homeostatic mechanisms .These are mainly negative and positive feedback mechanisms. For example. If the population of insects in a small ecosystem area increases greatly due to favorable climate, then food supply falls short of demand due to increased competition. Eventually some insects’ die of starvation and slowly the ecosystem returns to its original size.
Negative feedback occurs when the result of a process influences the operation of the process in such a way as to reduce changes. Negative feedback tends to make a system self-regulating. It can act as a stabilizing force and reduce the effect of fluctuations. Negative feedback loops where just the right amount of correction is applied in most timely manner can be very stable, accurate and responsive. Negative feedback controls the rate of a process to avoid accumulation of the product.
