Resilience Theory
by Mary Christine Garcia
Overview
Resilience theory, according to Walker and Salt (2006), aims to withstand any changes while retaining the structure, identity, function, and feedback of a system.
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Another definition by Standish et. al (2014) is the quote:
"We define landscape resilience as the ability of a landscape to sustain desired ecological functions, robust native biodiversity, and critical landscape processes over time, under changing conditions, and despite multiple stressors and uncertainties."
Background
A Canadian ecologist named C.S. "Buzz" Holling developed resilience theory in 1970's for a holistic understanding of "economic, ecological, social, and evolutionary" changes occurring globally, which primarily focuses on the rapidly unfolding of gradual or episodic and local or global changes (Gunderson and Holling 2001,5).
This theory stemmed from systematical processes way of thinking of the shift of ecological systems from equilibrium to non-equilibrium view. In Holling's work of Resilience and Stability of Ecological Systems, he points out that some ecosystems are undisturbed and static, meaning they are naturally in the state of equilibrium giving little contributions to the behavior of systems that are not stable. On the other hand, some ecosystems are continuously fluctuating--they move in a linear path towards a climatic state unable to define its true nature.
At the present time, his theory became the basis in untangling the term resilience in different contexts and it has been a unit of measurement in engineering in terms of the discussion of ecosystem in a variety of scales.
Framework
The illustration above shows the landscape resilience framework of a Silicon Valley landscape, which encompasses the seven principles of landscape resilience. This framework was studied and reviewed by a team of professionals, integrating empirical ecological studies and social-ecological resilience theory.
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The following are the seven principles of landscape resilience:
Setting - Determining the unique geophysical, biological, and cultural aspects by identifying its opportunities and weaknesses
Process - The physical, biological, and chemical drivers, events, and processes for the creation and sustainability of landscapes
Connectivity - Interconnectedness of habitats, processes, and population showing the movement of elements and biological life
Diversity & Complexity - Variation, distribution, and spatial configuration of the features in landscapes which provides a range of options for species
Redundancy - Numerous similar or overlapping elements or functions within a landscape cultivating diversity and insurance against scarcity or loss
Scale - The overall dimensions and time frame of landscapes allowing species, processes, and functions to persist
People - The stewards of landscapes (e.g. individuals, communities, institutions)
Another study by Daniel F. Lorenz was his contribution of resilience paradigm from a social science perspective in the Philippine context wherein he derived three major components from C.S. Holling's studies: the adaptive, coping, and participative capacities. These three capacities are the properties of a system that were modified in order to prevent disasters, cope with calamitous processes that occurred in the past, and measure the ability of a system to change its own structure by considering interventions by other systems, respectively.
Application in LA
The term resiliency is primarily focused on creating systems with the ability to endure, withstand changes, and adapt over the long run. In integrating resilience science into the conservation, management, and design of landscape, the manifestation of this theory bridges the sustainability and ecological functions of ecosystem in an uncertain future. By identifying the key landscapes in terms of climate change, applying the resilience principles to ecosystem management is highly possible.
Resilience theory emphasizes the ability of a landscape to retain to its original form and withstand gradual changes over time by, in some cases, requiring a few maintenance. With the help of landscape resilience framework with its seven principles, identifying the key points in a landscape is made much easier for ecological management and sustainability in helping combating climate change.
Mary Christine Garcia
She is a young aspirant landscape architect who loves to read young adult novels, watch movies and series, and do digital painting. Her favorite color is green, which reminds her of nature and the start of something new. During quarantine, she learned a few lessons—remember to take care of yourself and prioritize spending more time with people rather than catching up with the endless deadlines.
References
Cunningham, K. (1970, January 01). Resilience theory: A framework for engaging urban design. Retrieved November 19, 2020, from https://krex.k-state.edu/dspace/handle/2097/15776
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Mahan, R. (1970, January 01). Resilience. Retrieved November 19, 2020, from https://landscapetheory1.wordpress.com/category/nature/synthetic-environmentalism/resilience/
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Beller, E., Robinson, A., Grossinger, R., Grenier, L., Davenport, A., & Spotswood, E. (n.d.). Operationalizing Landscape Resilience. Retrieved November 19, 2020, from resilientsv.sfei.org
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Danilo, C. (n.d.). C.S. Holling and Ecological Resilience. Retrieved November 19, 2020, from https://canvas.eee.uci.edu/eportfolios/13884/Ecological_Resilience
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Lorenz, D. F. (n.d.). (PDF) The diversity of resilience: Contributions from a social science perspective. Retrieved November 19, 2020, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226113579_The_diversity_of_resilience_Contributions_from_a_social_science_perspective
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https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Buzz_Holling.jpg
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https://www.govloop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/iStock-535456192-768x320.jpg https://www.sfei.org/documents/building-ecological-resilience-highly-modified-landscapes
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