Why is biodiversity important for ecosystem resilience?

• A. More diversity allows better adaptation to disturbances and quicker recovery
• B. Biodiversity slows down recovery after disturbances
• C. Resilience is independent of biodiversity
• D. High biodiversity increases vulnerability to disturbances

Answer: (C)

Biodiversity contributes to ecosystem resilience by providing a buffer against disturbances and a higher capacity to bounce back after disruption. When many species share similar roles (functional redundancy), losing one species doesn’t slam a process like pollination or nutrient cycling because others can continue performing that function. A wider array of species also means a broader set of responses to stress—some organisms cope better with drought, others with heat, and still others can facilitate rapid recovery after a disturbance. This diversity of responses helps maintain essential services and speeds up restoration of structure and function.

Because of this, the statement that resilience is independent of biodiversity isn’t supported by how ecosystems actually work. Higher biodiversity generally leads to quicker adaptation and recovery after disturbances, whereas ideas that biodiversity slows recovery or increases vulnerability aren’t consistent with observed patterns in many ecosystems.