3. WHAT ? In ecological research
resilience is the capacity of a system to respond to
a disturbance by resisting damage and recovering
quickly
vulnerability : is the level of exposure to shocks of
humans and comes from the loss of resilience
WHY ? Complex world today , need new glasses…
• Non linear processes/relations
• Identify process and states more/less desirable developments
• Develop and maintain well or improved functioning systems
• Ensure positive reinforcing feedback loops/interactions
• Ability of system to adapt, adjust…
4. Valuable Ecosystem Services Loss of ecosystem services
Desirable Undesirable
4
coral dominance algal dominance
state shift
2 3
overfishing, coastal disease,
eutrophication hurricane turbid water
clear water
phosphorous accum- flooding, warming,
ulation in soil and mud overexploitation
of predators
grassland shrub-bushland
fire prevention good rains, continu-
ous heavy grazing
10. So far, most resilience research /academics focus on ecological large or
small systems
Increasing set of research experiences from social –ecological systems ,
incl. development context
Example: What processes and states can address both development and environmental
sustainability? Transforming landscapes with soil and water interventions
Barron & Keys, 2011