The concept of 'environmental resilience' has gained significant 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 dynamic adaptation. A resilient forest, for instance, may lose trees to a fire but subsequently regenerate through natural succession, preserving biodiversity over the long term. However, researchers caution that resilience is not limitless; anthropogenic stressors, such as climate change and habitat fragmentation, can erode an ecosystem's adaptive capacity, pushing it past a critical threshold into a degraded state. This has led to debates about whether management strategies should focus on enhancing resilience or on facilitating transformation to novel ecosystems when return to the original state is implausible. Understanding these nuances is vital for effective conservation policy.
❓ According to the passage, what is a key distinction between 'resistance' and 'resilience' in ecological contexts?
A. Resistance involves permanent change, while resilience prevents any alteration.
B. Resistance implies a static state, whereas resilience involves dynamic recovery and adaptation.
C. Resilience only applies to forests, while resistance applies to all ecosystems.
D. Resilience is a form of resistance that occurs after human intervention.
✅ 正确答案
Resistance implies a static state, whereas resilience involves dynamic recovery and adaptation.
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