Resilience thinking

Professor Eric Dejardins talked about ways that ecology is being managed through different methods. His main topic was Resilience thinking, which is a new approach to ecological management. He first talked about different models: the equilibrium model, stochastic model and alternative stable model (ASS). The equilibrium model is the inevitable development of a community by physical and biotic factors. One of the main keys of this method is the climax theory where things develops grows matures and reproduces. The next model is the stochastic model, which the composition of the community is at random and that the way it grows and develops is not predictable. The last model he talked about was ASS which is like a combination of the previous two, communities are structure and regulated but have the capacity to develop into other stable states and they are affected by various unpredictable events. For Ass it is important that the assembly of this model has history and external influences. For me the ASS model is more realistic than  equilibrium or stochastic models, because it resembles humans we are what we are for our history or past and we are shaping ourselves through our external experiences.

The main topic of the whole lecture was Resilience thinking, and his conclusion and question for us to keep in mind was that resilience thinking was a better approach to sustainability than the maximum sustainable yield system (MSY) which is the largest yield (or catch) that can be taken from a species. While, Resilience thinking is more of a complex theory. Resilience thinking has multiple stable equilibriums, thresholds, adaptive cycles and social ecological systems such as diversity. so the main definition for resilience is that it is quick to go back to its normal state just like a stress ball you squeeze it and it goes back to normal and the other part about resilience is the way the systems maintains its structure  and integrity when it faces problems or perturbations. Lastly for me resilience thinking is something I never heard of, and base on Prof Desjardins question f if we should only think about resilience thinking, my answer to that would be no there are other ways nature and ecology works and people should keep researching.  and for the last question about a social ecological system such as a forest being degraded I think it would never go back to it is natural state it could be heal but it would have scars or spots that resemble its degradation and would be weaker so more need to be research.