生態恢復能力(Resilience)是指系統在干擾後維持其機能及其組織結構的傾向。彈性(Elasticity)和生態幅度(amplitude)都是用來量測生態系統的恢復能力。彈性是指系統恢復的速度,而生態幅度是指系統可以偏離原來條件多遠,而干擾結束後仍可以恢復原狀。生態學借用了動態系統中鄰域穩定性及吸引域(domain of attraction)的概念。
^Pielou, After the Ice Age: The Return of Life to Glaciated North America (Chicago: University of Chicago Press) 1991:13
參考資料
Hall, Charles A.S. "Ecology" (Accessed at World Book online reference centre). Publication date unclear [2009-06-16]. (原始内容存档于2011-06-08).请检查|date=中的日期值 (帮助) Note: This appears to be a business site, accessible via subscription only. Unable to verify Hall's publication. However, Hall has published a large number of works pertaining to ecology, and the link to his website is below.