Stable community

A stable community is one in which the species and environmental factors are in balance, so population sizes remain fairly constant. This does not mean every count stays identical. Births, deaths and seasonal changes can cause fluctuations without the community losing its overall balance.

A stable community is not one in which every population remains exactly the same. Population sizes naturally rise and fall. Stability means that the species and environmental factors are sufficiently balanced for populations to remain fairly constant over time rather than changing without limit.

A stable community is not completely unchanging. Births, deaths and seasonal changes still occur, but populations and environmental factors remain sufficiently balanced for population sizes to stay fairly constant over time.

In a stable community, population sizes are relatively steady over time, although they still fluctuate. Stability does not mean that nothing changes. It means that feeding relationships, competition and other conditions are sufficiently balanced for populations to persist.