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. Recent research suggests that resilience is not a static property but a dynamic process influenced by biodiversity. High species diversity often enhances functional redundancy, where multiple species perform similar ecological roles, thereby buffering the system against species loss. However, resilience can be undermined by synergistic stressors, such as climate change coupled with habitat fragmentation, which may exceed the system's adaptive thresholds. A study on coral reefs demonstrated that reefs with higher herbivorous fish diversity recovered faster from bleaching events, yet their resilience diminished when ocean acidification was factored in. This highlights the need for integrated conservation strategies that address multiple stressors simultaneously, rather than focusing on single threats, to sustain ecosystem services in the long term.
❓ According to the passage, what is a key factor that can reduce an ecosystem's resilience?
A. A) The presence of high functional redundancy among species
B. B) The combined effects of multiple environmental stressors
C. C) The rapid recovery of coral reefs from bleaching events
D. D) The static nature of an ecosystem's structure and functions
✅ 正确答案
B) The combined effects of multiple environmental stressors
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