What's the concept of resilience in systems?

Resilience in systems refers to their ability to absorb disturbances and still retain their basic function and structure.

Resilience is a key concept in understanding how systems, whether they are ecological, social, or socio-ecological, respond to disturbances or changes. It is the capacity of a system to absorb disturbance and reorganise while undergoing change, so as to still retain essentially the same function, structure, identity, and feedbacks. This concept is particularly important in the context of environmental systems, where disturbances can come in the form of natural disasters, climate change, or human activities.

In an ecological context, resilience can be seen in how ecosystems respond to disturbances. For example, a forest ecosystem might be able to absorb a certain amount of deforestation and still maintain its basic structure and function, thanks to the resilience of its species and their interactions. However, if the disturbance is too great, the system may shift into a different state, such as a grassland, which has a different structure and function. This is known as a regime shift or critical transition.

In a social context, resilience can refer to the ability of communities or societies to withstand shocks such as economic crises or natural disasters. This can depend on factors such as social cohesion, economic diversity, and the presence of institutions that can help manage and distribute resources in times of crisis.

In socio-ecological systems, which combine both social and ecological elements, resilience can be even more complex. These systems can exhibit multiple stable states, and their resilience can depend on a combination of ecological factors (like biodiversity or ecosystem productivity) and social factors (like governance systems or cultural values).

Understanding resilience can help us manage systems in a way that maintains their health and functionality, even in the face of disturbance. It can also help us anticipate and avoid regime shifts that could have negative consequences for people and the environment.