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. Unlike mere resistance, which implies an unchanging state, resilience emphasizes adaptive recovery. For instance, a coral reef that bleaches under thermal stress but subsequently regains its symbiotic algae demonstrates resilience, whereas a reef that remains permanently degraded does not. Research suggests that biodiversity plays a pivotal role in enhancing resilience, as species-rich systems often possess functional redundancies that buffer against environmental fluctuations. However, human-induced pressures, such as overfishing and pollution, can erode these buffers, pushing ecosystems past critical thresholds. Consequently, conservation strategies increasingly focus on fostering resilience rather than solely preventing change, acknowledging that some degree of disturbance is inevitable in a rapidly altering world.
❓ According to the passage, what is the key difference between resistance and resilience in an ecosystem?
A. A. Resistance involves permanent change, while resilience involves no change at all.
B. B. Resilience focuses on recovery after disturbance, whereas resistance implies maintaining an unchanged state.
C. C. Resistance is more dependent on biodiversity than resilience.
D. D. Resilience only applies to coral reefs, while resistance applies to all ecosystems.
✅ 正确答案
B. Resilience focuses on recovery after disturbance, whereas resistance implies maintaining an unchanged state.
IELTS Reading Tips
Skim the questions first, underline keywords, then locate in the passage
Watch for paraphrasing; correct answers are often reworded
Be wary of absolute statements (all, always, never) — usually wrong
Pay attention to content after transition words (however, but, yet)
Manage time: about 20 minutes per passage; skip difficult questions first