Ecosystem resilience

Definition

Ecosystem resilience refers to the ability of an ecosystem to absorb disturbances and still maintain its basic structure, processes, and functions. This concept emphasizes that ecosystems can recover from stressors, such as climate change, pollution, and habitat destruction, while continuing to provide essential services and biodiversity. Resilience can be influenced by factors like species diversity, ecological connectivity, and adaptive capacity.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ecosystem resilience is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services, especially in the face of rapid environmental changes.
2. Higher biodiversity often contributes to greater resilience, as diverse ecosystems are better equipped to withstand disturbances.
3. Restoration efforts can enhance resilience by reintroducing native species and improving habitat connectivity.
4. Climate change poses significant threats to ecosystem resilience, leading to shifts in species distributions and altered ecological interactions.
5. Monitoring and assessing resilience can help identify vulnerable ecosystems and inform management strategies aimed at conservation and restoration.

Review Questions

• How does biodiversity contribute to the resilience of marine ecosystems in the face of disturbances?
  • Biodiversity enhances the resilience of marine ecosystems by providing a range of species that can perform similar ecological functions. This redundancy allows ecosystems to maintain their processes even if some species are lost due to disturbances. Diverse populations can also adapt to changes more effectively, ensuring stability and recovery after stressors such as pollution or climate change.
• Evaluate the impact of climate change on the resilience of marine ecosystems and the strategies that can be implemented to mitigate these effects.
  • Climate change negatively impacts marine ecosystem resilience by altering temperature regimes, ocean acidification, and affecting species interactions. Strategies like establishing marine protected areas and restoring coastal habitats can enhance resilience by preserving biodiversity and promoting adaptive capacity. Effective management also involves reducing other stressors, such as overfishing and pollution, to support ecosystem recovery.
• Synthesize how understanding ecosystem resilience can inform conservation efforts in marine environments facing multiple stressors.
  • Understanding ecosystem resilience helps identify critical factors that enable marine environments to withstand and recover from multiple stressors. Conservation efforts can be informed by this knowledge by focusing on enhancing biodiversity, protecting vital habitats, and promoting ecological connectivity. By prioritizing actions that strengthen resilience, conservationists can develop more effective strategies for managing marine ecosystems amid ongoing challenges like climate change and habitat loss.

Related terms

Biodiversity:

The variety of life forms within a given ecosystem, including the diversity of species, genetic variation, and ecosystem diversity.

Ecosystem Services:

The benefits that humans derive from ecosystems, such as clean water, pollination of crops, and climate regulation.

Adaptive Capacity:

The ability of an ecosystem or community to adjust to changes or stressors, enhancing its resilience and ability to recover.