The concept of 'environmental resilience' has gained traction in ecological studies, referring to an ecosystem's capacity to absorb disturbances while maintaining its fundamental structure and functions. Resilience is not static; it varies with the intensity and frequency of stressors, such as climate change or human intervention. A resilient system may shift to an alternative stable state if thresholds are exceeded, leading to irreversible changes. Researchers argue that enhancing biodiversity can buffer ecosystems against shocks, as diverse species often perform complementary roles. However, critics note that resilience alone does not guarantee the preservation of ecosystem services valuable to humans, such as pollination or water purification. Therefore, management strategies must integrate resilience with adaptive governance, promoting flexibility in decision-making to cope with uncertainty. This holistic approach acknowledges that ecosystems are complex, and their responses to disturbances are often nonlinear and unpredictable.
❓ According to the passage, what is a key limitation of focusing solely on environmental resilience?
A. It ignores the role of biodiversity in ecosystem stability.
B. It fails to ensure the continuity of essential ecosystem services for humans.
C. It assumes that ecosystem responses to disturbances are always linear.
D. It discourages adaptive management strategies in governance.
✅ Correct Answer
B. B. It fails to ensure the continuity of essential ecosystem services for humans.