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 mere stability, which implies a system's return to an equilibrium after a temporary shock, resilience emphasizes the dynamic interplay between persistence and adaptability. A resilient ecosystem may shift into an alternative stable state, yet still maintain critical ecological services. Researchers argue that human interventions, such as habitat fragmentation or climate change, can erode resilience by reducing biodiversity and simplifying food webs. Consequently, management strategies increasingly focus on enhancing resilience through protecting keystone species and promoting functional redundancy, rather than solely attempting to restore historical conditions. This paradigm shift acknowledges uncertainty and encourages adaptive governance, where policies are continuously revised based on monitoring and feedback.
❓ According to the passage, what is a key difference between ecological resilience and stability?
A. A. Stability allows for shifts to alternative states, whereas resilience requires returning to the original state.
B. B. Resilience involves dynamic adaptation and may include changes in state, whereas stability typically implies a return to equilibrium.
C. C. Stability focuses on biodiversity, while resilience focuses on ecosystem services.
D. D. Resilience is only relevant to human-disturbed ecosystems, while stability applies to natural ones.
✅ 正确答案
B. Resilience involves dynamic adaptation and may include changes in state, whereas stability typically implies a return to equilibrium.
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