Ecosystem resilience

Definition

Ecosystem resilience is the ability of an ecosystem to absorb disturbances and still maintain its basic structure and function. This quality allows ecosystems to recover from various stressors, such as climate change, pollution, or human activities, and to continue providing essential services like clean air and water. Resilience is critical for maintaining biodiversity, which helps ecosystems adapt and thrive in changing conditions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ecosystem resilience is influenced by biodiversity; more diverse ecosystems tend to be more resilient to changes and disturbances.
2. Human activities like deforestation, pollution, and urbanization can significantly reduce ecosystem resilience by disrupting natural processes.
3. Restoration efforts, such as reforestation or wetland restoration, can help enhance the resilience of ecosystems that have been degraded.
4. Climate change poses a major threat to ecosystem resilience, as rising temperatures and extreme weather events can exceed the adaptive capacity of many ecosystems.
5. Healthy ecosystems provide essential services, such as carbon storage and nutrient cycling, which contribute to their resilience against environmental changes.

Review Questions

• How does biodiversity contribute to the resilience of ecosystems?
  • Biodiversity enhances ecosystem resilience by providing a wider range of species that can adapt to changing environmental conditions. Diverse ecosystems are better equipped to withstand disturbances because different species fulfill various roles within the ecosystem. When one species is affected by a disturbance, others may continue to thrive and maintain ecosystem functions, thus allowing for a quicker recovery and continued provision of ecosystem services.
• Discuss the impact of human activities on ecosystem resilience and provide examples.
  • Human activities such as urban development, agriculture, and industrial pollution can severely impact ecosystem resilience. For instance, deforestation can lead to habitat loss and fragmentation, making it difficult for species to survive or adapt to changes. Additionally, pollution can degrade water quality and soil health, further reducing the ability of ecosystems to recover from disturbances. These impacts highlight the need for sustainable practices that support ecosystem health.
• Evaluate the relationship between climate change and ecosystem resilience in the context of global environmental shifts.
  • Climate change significantly threatens ecosystem resilience by introducing rapid environmental shifts that many species cannot adapt to quickly enough. Factors such as increasing temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events challenge the stability of ecosystems. As these changes occur faster than many organisms can evolve or migrate, we see a decline in biodiversity, which diminishes resilience. Therefore, addressing climate change is critical for ensuring that ecosystems can continue to function effectively and support life.

Related terms

Biodiversity: The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, encompassing the different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Ecological Succession: The process by which ecosystems change and develop over time, often following a disturbance, leading to a more stable community.

Sustainability: The ability to meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, often linked to maintaining healthy ecosystems.