Which characteristic is a sign of a healthy ecosystem?

A high resilience to disturbances is indeed a characteristic of a healthy ecosystem. Resilience refers to the ability of an ecosystem to withstand and recover from disturbances such as natural disasters, habitat destruction, or climate change. A resilient ecosystem can absorb shocks and maintain its essential functions and structure, often recovering quickly and continuing to support diverse plant and animal life. This resilience is critical for sustaining ecological balance and enabling a wide range of species to thrive.

In contrast, low biodiversity represents a vulnerability, as ecosystems with fewer species are more susceptible to collapse when faced with changes or stressors. Uniformity in species composition suggests a lack of diversity, which can also lead to reduced resilience, as these systems may not have the varied responses necessary to adapt to environmental changes. An inability to adapt to changes highlights an ecosystem's fragility, indicating that it cannot cope with or respond to disturbances effectively. Thus, high resilience is a key indicator of a robust and thriving ecosystem.