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Ecosystems are complex, living systems that provide us with clean water, fertile soils, food, and climate regulation. Yet they face increasing stress from climate change, habitat loss, and pollution. A central question for science, policy, and business alike is: what makes ecosystems stable and resilient in the face of these pressures?
The answer lies in biodiversity.
The link between diversity and stability
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life at three levels: genes, species, and ecosystems. Each of these levels contributes to stability in its own way:
- Genetic diversity allows species to adapt to changing conditions or resist disease.
- Species diversity ensures that multiple species can perform overlapping roles, such as pollination or nutrient cycling.
- Ecosystem diversity creates a mosaic of habitats, each providing unique services that together buffer entire landscapes.
- Research consistently shows that higher biodiversity makes ecosystems more stable, productive, and capable of recovering after disruption. This is often called the “diversity–stability hypothesis.”
Resistance and resilience
Stability has two key dimensions: resistance and resilience.
Resistance is an ecosystem’s ability to withstand stress without major change. For instance, a diverse grassland with many plant species can absorb a drought more effectively than a monoculture.
Resilience is the capacity to recover once disturbance has occurred. After a fire or flood, diverse ecosystems bounce back faster because different species can reoccupy ecological roles.
Insects illustrate this principle well. While bees are often seen as the primary pollinators, flies, beetles, butterflies, and even birds can also pollinate. If one species declines, others can fill the gap, ensuring the service continues. This redundancy creates resilience.
How biodiversity enhances ecosystem services
Stable ecosystems are not just scientifically interesting; they provide real-world benefits that humans and businesses depend on.
Productivity: Diverse plant communities use sunlight, water, and nutrients more efficiently, supporting higher yields and stronger food webs.
Nutrient cycling: Different organisms decompose organic matter in complementary ways, keeping soils fertile and agriculture productive.
Pest control: A variety of predators and parasitoids keeps pest populations in check, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides.
Climate regulation: Forests, grasslands, and wetlands with rich biodiversity store more carbon and are better able to withstand climate-related disturbances.
In short, biodiversity is nature’s insurance policy, making sure essential services continue even when conditions change.
Measuring stability through biodiversity
Because biodiversity underpins stability, measuring it is critical. Traditional surveys of species richness and abundance remain valuable, but today they are complemented by advanced techniques:
- Sensor technology can track insect activity in real time, offering continuous insights into ecosystem dynamics.
- Remote sensing and GIS map habitats and identify hotspots across large landscapes.
- Genomic tools like environmental DNA detect species that are rare or hard to observe directly.
Together, these approaches provide a multidimensional view of biodiversity and its role in stability. They also allow companies, policymakers, and communities to understand how ecosystems respond to interventions, such as restoration or land-use change.
Why it matters for business
For companies, ecosystem stability is not an abstract concept. It is tied directly to supply chain resilience, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability.
- Agriculture: Diverse ecosystems protect crops from pests, pollinate plants, and sustain soil fertility.
- Energy and infrastructure: Projects like solar parks or transmission lines must show how they affect local biodiversity. Continuous monitoring demonstrates whether ecosystems are stable and recovering.
- Corporate reporting: Regulations such as CSRD require companies to disclose impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem health. Linking biodiversity data to ecosystem stability helps meet these obligations with credibility.
By integrating biodiversity monitoring into operations, businesses can reduce risks, build trust, and contribute to more resilient landscapes.
Looking ahead
Ecosystems worldwide are under stress, but the science is clear: diversity boosts resilience. Protecting and monitoring biodiversity is not just conservation; it is a strategy for ensuring stability in the natural systems that support economies and societies.
At evolito, we believe biodiversity intelligence must be continuous, transparent, and actionable. Insects, plants, and other species provide the signals we need to understand resilience and respond to change before it is too late.
When we measure biodiversity, we are not only tracking species. We are safeguarding the stability of the ecosystems that allow both people and nature to flourish.
References
Biological Diversity. Elements of biodiversity
Nature. Biodiversity and ecosystem stability
Royal Society. How biodiversity is measured
JOVE & Britannica. Different ways to measure biodiversity
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