Ecosystem Resilience
Definition
Ecosystem resilience refers to the ability of an ecosystem to recover and adapt after being disturbed or experiencing changes. It is a measure of how well an ecosystem can withstand and bounce back from disturbances, such as natural disasters or human activities.
Analogy
Think of ecosystem resilience like a rubber band. Just as a rubber band can stretch and then return to its original shape, resilient ecosystems have the capacity to absorb shocks and recover their balance.
Related terms
Biodiversity: Biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms within an ecosystem. It includes different species, genetic diversity within species, and the variety of ecosystems themselves.
Trophic Cascade: A trophic cascade occurs when there are indirect effects on lower trophic levels due to changes in higher trophic levels within an ecosystem. For example, if predators are removed from an ecosystem, it can lead to an increase in prey populations.
Keystone Species: Keystone species are species that have a disproportionately large impact on their environment relative to their abundance. Their presence or absence can significantly affect the structure and function of an entire ecosystem.
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