
Nature's capacity to 'bounce back' when species are lost is vastly overestimated
Recent research indicates that ecosystems recover far less effectively after species extinctions than previously believed. The study challenges the common assumption that natural systems can easily compensate for biodiversity loss, showing that functional redundancy is limited and that the removal of even a few species can cause lasting disruptions. Findings suggest conservation strategies must prioritize preventing extinctions rather than relying on natural recovery.