p.1 Ecosystem resilience describes the capacity of an ecosystem to cope with disturbances,
such as storms, fire and pollution, without shifting into a qualitatively different state. A resilient ecosystem has
the capacity to withstand shocks and surprises and, if damaged, to rebuild itself. In a resilient ecosystem, the
process of rebuilding after disturbance promotes renewal and innovation. Without resilience, ecosystems become
vulnerable to the effects of disturbance that previously could be absorbed.
p.4 Managing for resilience enhances the likelihood of sustaining development in changing environments
for which the future is unpredictable and surprise is likely. When massive transformation is inevitable, resilient
systems contain the components needed for renewal and reorganization.
p.6 Resilience in social-ecological systems is the key to sustainable development. To sustain
development in a world in transformation, policy must enhance resilience and sustain socialecological systems in the
face of surprise, unpredictability and complexity.
