Resistance

Definition

Resistance is the ability of an organism or ecosystem to withstand or recover from changes and disturbances. It plays a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem stability and function.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Resistance helps ecosystems maintain structure and function after disturbances like fires, floods, or human activities.
2. High biodiversity can increase an ecosystem's resistance by providing multiple species that fulfill similar roles.
3. Resistance is different from resilience, which refers to how quickly an ecosystem recovers after a disturbance.
4. Energy flow through trophic levels can be affected by the resistance of various organisms within the ecosystem.
5. Human activities such as pollution and deforestation can reduce the natural resistance of ecosystems.

Review Questions

• How does resistance contribute to ecosystem stability?
• What is the difference between resistance and resilience in ecological terms?
• How can high biodiversity impact an ecosystem's resistance?

Related terms

Ecosystem:

A community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment.

Biodiversity: The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Trophic Levels: The hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, comprising producers at the base and successive levels of consumers above them.