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Resilience (ecological)

Definition

Resilience refers to the ability of an ecosystem to withstand and recover from natural disruptions or disturbances, such as wildfires, hurricanes, or droughts. It is a measure of how well an ecosystem can maintain its structure and function in the face of these challenges.

Analogy

Think of 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 bounce back after being stretched or disrupted by natural events.

Related terms

Biodiversity: Biodiversity refers to the variety and abundance of different species within an ecosystem. High biodiversity often contributes to greater resilience because it provides more options for adaptation and recovery.

Succession: Succession is the process by which ecosystems change over time after a disturbance. It involves the gradual replacement of one community by another until a stable climax community is reached.

Keystone species: Keystone species are organisms that play a critical role in maintaining the structure and functioning of an ecosystem. Their presence greatly influences the overall resilience of an ecosystem.