Higher Diversity in Ecosystems, Higher Resilience
Why Biodiversity Matters More Than Ever
Pantanal | Photo by Leo Mercon
You’ve probably heard it before: biodiversity is important. But what does that actually mean in practice? And why is it that ecosystems with higher diversity seem to bounce back faster after a disturbance, whether it's a wildfire, drought, or invasive species? It turns out, there’s a strong scientific foundation for the idea that higher diversity in ecosystems means higher resilience, and that fact has major implications for conservation, climate change, and how we manage our natural resources moving forward.
So let’s unpack the science, the real-world applications, and what you can do to help support more resilient ecosystems.
Biodiversity and Ecosystems
Biodiversity refers to the variety of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms that inhabit our planet. This diversity is not just a catalog of life forms; it’s the foundation of ecosystems, which are complex systems where living organisms interact with their physical environment. These interactions create a web of life that supports ecological resilience, allowing ecosystems to absorb external disturbances and maintain their structure and functions.
Human societies are closely linked to these ecosystems. Our well-being depends on the health and resilience of these natural systems. Ecosystem services, such as water purification, nutrient cycling, and pollination, are critical for our survival and quality of life. These services are often provided by diverse ecosystems, highlighting the importance of maintaining biodiversity.
The natural world is composed of many different ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, and marine ecosystems, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Understanding the importance of biodiversity and ecosystems is crucial for effective ecosystem management. This comprehensive approach must consider the interactions between different components of ecological systems to maintain their ability to provide essential services to humans.
Ecological systems are inherently complex and dynamic. Their management requires a deep understanding of these interactions and the resilience of these systems to external disturbances. By appreciating the importance of biodiversity, we can better protect and sustain the natural world that supports us.
What Does “Resilience” Mean in Ecology?
In environmental science, resilience is defined as an ecosystem’s ability to withstand disturbances and return to its original state, or to adapt and evolve into a new, stable state. Think of it like this: when a storm hits a forest, will it bounce back? Will the plants regrow? Will the animals return? The answer depends a lot on how diverse that forest is.
Ecological resilience can mean:
The ability to maintain consistent productivity across climate extremes
Resistance to invasive species or disease
Faster recovery after events like wildfires or floods
And over and over, research has shown that higher biodiversity increases all of these resilience indicators.
Higher diversity means higher resilience for ecosystems | Via Getty Images
Why Does Biodiversity Increase Ecosystem Resilience?
There are a few mechanisms at play here. One of the most important is known as the insurance hypothesis, a theory that suggests having more species in an ecosystem increases the chances that some will thrive even when others struggle. This “biological insurance” helps maintain stability over time.
Imagine a grassland with five species of grasses. If one struggles during a drought, the others might compensate by growing more, keeping the overall productivity stable. But if there’s only one species? If that one fails, the entire system could collapse.
Diverse ecosystems can better adapt to different climatic conditions, such as droughts or storms, by leveraging the unique strengths of various species to maintain resilience.
Another factor is functional diversity—the idea that different species perform different roles in an ecosystem. When those roles are spread out across many organisms, the system has more ways to respond to environmental change.
Real-World Evidence: What the Research Shows
Two long-term studies, one in China and one in Panama—have recently added weight to the theory that higher diversity in ecosystems, higher resilience.
The historical significance of ecological resilience was first highlighted in the 1973 publication in the Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, which has since contributed to our understanding of resilience in ecological systems.
In the BEF-China project, researchers planted forest plots with 1 to 24 tree species. Over six years, they found that the more diverse the forest, the better it was at buffering extreme temperatures. On hot summer days, diverse plots stayed up to 4.4°C cooler than monocultures. That’s not just a comfort factor, it affects everything from soil health to insect survival to carbon uptake.
Meanwhile, in Panama, another 16-year study found that tree species richness led to more stable carbon storage over time—even during droughts and storms. These diverse forests weren’t just growing more wood; they were also absorbing more carbon and doing it more reliably, even as climate conditions fluctuated.
This is a big deal. Climate extremes are becoming more common, and we need forests that can hold up under pressure.
Cerro Punta, Chiriqui, Panama | Photo by Cesar Aleman
Other Examples of Diversity Driving Resilience
1. Coral Reefs with Higher Fish Diversity Bounce Back Faster After Bleaching Events
The Great Barrier Reef is an example of how higher fish diversity leads to faster recovery after bleaching events. In the Great Barrier Reef and other coral ecosystems, reefs with higher fish species diversity have shown faster recovery after coral bleaching events. Fish play crucial roles in algae control, nutrient cycling, and even coral recruitment. In a recent study, reefs with more functional diversity among fish populations were better able to maintain ecosystem functions after thermal stress, giving corals a better chance at regrowth.
2. Diverse Prairie Grasslands Resist Invasive Species More Effectively
In North American prairie restoration projects, researchers have found that plots planted with 16 or more species of native grasses and forbs are significantly more resistant to invasive plants like knapweed and cheatgrass than monocultures. The variety of root depths, growth rates, and seasonal cycles creates a dense, competitive environment that leaves little room for invaders—demonstrating how higher diversity in ecosystems means higher resilience, even at the soil level.
Coral Reefs with Higher Fish Diversity Bounce Back Faster After Bleaching Events
| Photo by Rich Carey
The Role of Marine Life in Ecosystems
Marine life plays a vital role in maintaining the health and resilience of marine ecosystems. These ecosystems provide numerous ecosystem services, including food production, coastal protection, and carbon sequestration. Marine ecosystems are closely linked to human societies, and our activities, such as fishing and pollution, can have significant impacts on these systems.
Ecological resilience is essential for maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. It allows them to absorb external disturbances, such as climate change and overfishing, and continue to function effectively. Marine life, including plants and animals, helps to maintain the balance of these ecosystems and provides numerous benefits to humans, including food, recreation, and tourism.
The diversity of marine life is critical for maintaining the overall functioning of marine ecosystems. Changes in this diversity can have significant impacts on ecosystem services. Marine ecosystems are complex systems that consist of many different species and habitats, including coral reefs, estuaries, and the open ocean. Each of these habitats plays a unique role in the marine environment.
Understanding the role of marine life in ecosystems is crucial for managing these systems and maintaining their ability to provide essential services to humans. Ecological resilience is closely linked to the concept of ecosystem services, and maintaining the resilience of marine ecosystems is essential for ensuring the long-term provision of these services. By protecting marine biodiversity, we can help ensure the health and sustainability of our oceans for future generations.
What About Rewilding and Restoration?
A growing movement in conservation is pushing for rewilding-inspired forestry—an approach that focuses not just on planting trees, but on rebuilding ecosystems. That means restoring natural processes, allowing for species migrations, and prioritizing native biodiversity.
A 2025 paper by researchers including Lanhui Wang outlines ten key strategies for rewilding forests, from reintroducing native species to creating community co-management structures. The idea is to let nature do what it does best—but to support it where necessary, especially in landscapes that have been fragmented or degraded.
Sustainable development practices are essential for supporting rewilding and restoration efforts, as they integrate ecological resilience to achieve long-term sustainability goals.
Schnabel, a lead researcher in the forest diversity studies, agrees: planting diverse forests can buffer ecosystems against future disturbances. It’s not a silver bullet, but it’s a crucial tool in the climate adaptation toolbox.
Photo by Carmen Hauser
Limits to What Forests (and Biodiversity) Can Do
Of course, we have to be realistic. Even the most biodiverse forest can’t offset endless carbon emissions. As Schnabel notes, it takes 11 hectares of diverse forest to absorb the emissions of a single transatlantic flight. Biodiversity helps—but it’s not a get-out-of-jail-free card.
Economic activities can undermine the resilience of even the most biodiverse forests, highlighting the conflicts between conventional economic ideologies and the need for ecological resilience.
The key takeaway? Protect existing ecosystems first. Then support restoration—especially using diverse, native species. And always pair these efforts with serious climate action.
Practical Takeaways: What Can We Do?
Here are a few ways individuals, landowners, and policymakers can support biodiversity and resilience:
Sustainable land use practices, such as responsible forestry and regenerative agriculture, can significantly support biodiversity and enhance ecological resilience.
1. Support Mixed-Species Reforestation
Avoid monocultures. If you’re planting trees—on your land or supporting reforestation projects—look for those using native, mixed-species plantings.
Sustainable agricultural practices, such as crop rotation and agroecology, can support mixed-species reforestation by enhancing soil health, promoting biodiversity, and increasing resilience against climate change.
2. Advocate for Native Plant Landscaping
Whether it’s your yard or your city park, native plants attract a wider variety of birds, pollinators, and small mammals. They also require less water and fertilizer.
Native plants also attract a variety of insects, which are essential for pollination and maintaining ecosystem health.
3. Engage in Citizen Science
Apps like iNaturalist and eBird let you contribute to biodiversity tracking projects just by taking photos and logging species in your area. The data helps researchers monitor ecological health.
Local communities can play a crucial role in these projects, supporting ecological resilience by providing valuable data and fostering a deeper connection between ecosystems and human populations.
4. Stay Informed and Vote
Support policies that prioritize ecosystem protection, endangered species recovery, and climate adaptation. Your voice matters.
High Biodiversity in Etosha National Park | Photo by James Brew
Diversity Isn’t Just a Cool Concept, It’s Essential fo ecosystems
In nature, variety really is the spice of life. From forests that buffer climate extremes to grasslands that stay productive through drought, the message is clear: higher diversity in ecosystems means higher resilience.
To support biodiversity and ecosystem health, it is crucial to understand the complexities of ecological resilience.
And that resilience isn’t just about wildlife—it affects us too. Clean water, food security, climate regulation, disease control—all of these depend on healthy, biodiverse systems. So whether you’re planting trees, supporting local restoration projects, or simply learning more, you’re helping to build a future that can weather the storms ahead.
