The concept of 'ecological resilience' has gained prominence in environmental science, referring to an ecosystem's capacity to absorb disturbance and reorganize while undergoing change so as to retain essentially the same function, structure, identity, and feedbacks. Unlike stability, which emphasizes resistance to change and rapid recovery, resilience focuses on the magnitude of disturbance that can be absorbed before the system shifts into an alternative state. This distinction is crucial for conservation strategies: managing for stability may inadvertently reduce resilience by simplifying ecosystem structures, whereas fostering resilience often involves maintaining biodiversity and functional redundancy. Recent studies suggest that resilient ecosystems can better withstand climate-induced stressors, such as drought or invasive species, by enabling adaptive responses across multiple scales. Consequently, policymakers are increasingly urged to prioritize resilience-based approaches over traditional preservationist models, which assume static equilibrium in natural systems.
❓ According to the passage, what is the primary difference between ecological resilience and stability?
A. A. Stability emphasizes rapid recovery, while resilience focuses on slow adaptation.
B. B. Resilience concerns the ability to absorb disturbance without shifting states, whereas stability focuses on resisting change and returning quickly.
C. C. Stability is about maintaining biodiversity, while resilience is about simplifying ecosystems.
D. D. Resilience is only relevant to climate-induced stressors, while stability applies to all disturbances.
✅ 正确答案
B. Resilience concerns the ability to absorb disturbance without shifting states, whereas stability focuses on resisting change and returning quickly.
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