What is one consequence of a disturbance in a resilient ecosystem?

In a resilient ecosystem, a disturbance typically triggers a series of changes, but resilience refers to the ecosystem's ability to absorb these disruptions and return to a stable state. This recovery involves restoring its functions, such as nutrient cycling, energy flow, and species composition. Resilience allows an ecosystem to bounce back after events like fires, floods, or human activities.

The concept of resilience is crucial as it emphasizes the dynamic nature of ecosystems. Many ecosystems have inherent mechanisms that help them adapt and withstand disturbances, maintaining their overall health and functionality. For example, following a forest fire, vegetation may gradually regenerate, soil quality can improve, and wildlife populations can rebound, indicating that the ecosystem is capable of recovery.

The other choices illustrate incorrect notions about ecosystems. For instance, the idea that an ecosystem will collapse permanently underlines a misunderstanding of resilience; while severe disturbances can lead to significant changes, many ecosystems are designed by evolution to handle such stresses, provided they don't exceed certain thresholds. Similarly, stating that there will be no effects on the ecosystem ignores the immediate impacts that disturbances can have, while the notion that an ecosystem will become more fragile misrepresents the adaptive capabilities inherent in resilient systems.