What ability do ecosystems have to maintain essential processes and retain biodiversity?

The ability of ecosystems to maintain essential processes and retain biodiversity is best described by the concept of ecosystem stability. Ecosystem stability refers to the capacity of an ecosystem to resist change and maintain its functionality and diversity over time, even when faced with disturbances. This stability allows ecosystems to regulate essential processes such as nutrient cycling, energy flow, and habitat provision for various species, which in turn helps in sustaining biodiversity.

Environmental sustainability, while closely related, is a broader concept that encompasses the prudent management of natural resources to prevent their depletion and ensure that ecosystems can continue to provide vital services for both current and future generations. It includes elements of ecological, economic, and social dimensions but does not specifically focus on the ecosystem's inherent stability and biodiversity retention.

Economic resilience pertains to the ability of an economy to withstand or recover from adverse effects, while social responsibility involves ethical practices by individuals and organizations towards society and the environment. These options, while important in their respective contexts, do not directly address the ecological mechanisms that underpin the maintenance of essential processes and biodiversity within ecosystems.