A resilience concept based on system functioning: A dynamical systems perspective

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Systems Ecology
• Theoretical Ecology

Background:

• Traditional resilience focuses on a system's ability to absorb disturbances and maintain a stable state.
• Regime shifts, or transitions between stable states, are often viewed as a loss of resilience.
• A state-based approach may overlook a system's capacity to maintain functioning through different states.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel framework for resilience based on system functioning rather than system state.
• To re-evaluate the concept of resilience in light of multiple stable states and flexibility.
• To classify system responses to disturbances and identify resilience mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Proposed a shift from a state-based to a system functioning-based approach to resilience.
• Emphasized the role of flexibility in maintaining system functioning across different stable states.
• Classified disturbances (fluctuations, shocks, press disturbances, trends) based on timescales and properties.
• Distinguished between resilience mechanisms: tolerance and flexibility (system properties), and adaptation and transformation (system processes).
• Discussed quantitative methods using dynamical systems theory for investigating resilience in model systems.

Main Results:

• Not all regime shifts indicate a loss of resilience; system functioning can be maintained across different stable states.
• Flexibility, the ability to shift between states while preserving function, is crucial for resilience.
• System responses vary based on disturbance type and timescale.
• Resilience is supported by inherent properties (tolerance, flexibility) and dynamic processes (adaptation, transformation).

Conclusions:

• The system functioning approach offers a more nuanced understanding of resilience.
• Flexibility is a critical component of resilience, enabling systems to navigate change.
• Understanding disturbance types and resilience mechanisms is vital for managing complex systems.
• Dynamical systems theory provides tools for quantitative resilience assessment.