Climate Change and Ecosystem Resilience
Climate change is widely regarded as one of the greatest threats to global ecosystems, yet its impacts are neither uniform nor predictable. While rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events pose significant challenges, some ecosystems demonstrate a surprising capacity for adaptation and recovery. This phenomenon, known as ecosystem resilience, refers to the ability of a system to absorb disturbances while retaining its essential structure and function.
One factor influencing resilience is biodiversity. Ecosystems with a greater variety of species often respond more effectively to environmental stress, as different organisms fulfil overlapping ecological roles. When one species declines, others may compensate, reducing the overall impact on ecosystem functioning. Conversely, ecosystems with low biodiversity are more vulnerable, as the loss of a single species can trigger cascading effects.
Human activity plays a dual role in shaping ecosystem resilience. On the one hand, deforestation, pollution, and overexploitation of resources degrade natural systems and reduce their adaptive capacity. On the other hand, conservation initiatives such as habitat restoration, protected areas, and sustainable land-use practices can enhance resilience by maintaining ecological balance and genetic diversity.
Scientists caution that resilience has limits. Once environmental change exceeds certain thresholds, ecosystems may undergo abrupt and irreversible transformations. Coral reefs, for example, can shift rapidly from vibrant marine habitats to degraded algal-dominated systems when exposed to prolonged temperature stress and ocean acidification.
Understanding the mechanisms that support ecosystem resilience is therefore essential for effective environmental management. Policymakers increasingly recognise that mitigating climate change alone is insufficient; strategies must also focus on strengthening ecosystems’ capacity to withstand unavoidable change. This integrated approach is seen as vital for safeguarding biodiversity and ensuring the long-term stability of the planet’s life-support systems.
Questions 1–5: TRUE / FALSE / NOT GIVEN
Write:
• TRUE if the statement agrees with the passage
• FALSE if it contradicts the passage
• NOT GIVEN if there is no information
1. Climate change affects all ecosystems in the same way.
2. Ecosystem resilience allows systems to recover without any long-term change.
3. Biodiversity increases an ecosystem’s ability to cope with environmental stress.
4. Human activities always reduce ecosystem resilience.
5. Coral reefs can permanently change when exposed to prolonged environmental stress.