Ecosystem sustainability is one of the most significant indicators of the state of the environment. It represents the ability of the ecological system as a whole and its components to successfully resist negative external factors, while preserving not only its structure, but also its functions. The most important characteristic of stability is the relative damping of arising oscillations. A similar ability is closely studied to determine the effects of anthropogenic factors.
The concept of ecosystem sustainability is often synonymous with environmental sustainability. Like any other phenomenon in nature, the whole essence of the ecosystem tends to balance (balance of biological species, balance of energy and others). Thus, a special role is played by the mechanism of self-regulation.
The main objective of this process is the coexistence of many living organisms, as well as objects of inanimate nature, while restricting and regulating the abundance of each species. The sustainability of the ecosystem is ensured by the lack of complete destruction of the population. The existing species diversity allows each representative to feed on several forms, standing at a lower trophic level. Thus, if the abundance of a species is significantly reduced and is close to the threshold of destruction, you can "switch" to another more common life form. This is where ecosystem sustainability factors lie.
As mentioned earlier, environmental sustainability is considered synonymous with sustainability. This is no coincidence. Preserving the environment in a stable state is only possible provided that the law of dynamic equilibrium is not violated. Otherwise, not only the quality of the natural environment, but even the existence of a whole complex of various natural components may be at risk.
The stability of the ecosystem, provided by the law of dynamic internal equilibrium, is also subject to the balance of large territories and the balance of components. It is these concepts that underlie environmental management. In addition, the development of special sets of measures that are aimed at protecting the environment should also be carried out taking into account the above laws and balances.
Ecosystem resilience can also be represented as ecological equilibrium. It is a special property of living systems, which is not violated even when exposed to various anthropogenic factors. When developing projects for the development of new territories, it is necessary to take into account the ratio of extensively and intensively used lands on the presented area. These can be various urbanized complexes, meadows for cattle grazing, zones of preserved natural forests. Irrational development of territories can cause significant damage to both the ecology of this particular region and the natural ecosystem as a whole.
