Ecological integrity refers to:

Ecological integrity specifically pertains to the health and stability of biodiversity and ecosystem processes. This concept emphasizes the importance of maintaining the natural balance within ecosystems, ensuring that various species can thrive and ecological interactions can function properly. It recognizes that healthy ecosystems provide essential services, such as clean air and water, nutrient cycling, and habitat for diverse species, which are foundational to overall environmental resilience.

In contrast, the other options do not capture the essence of ecological integrity. The idea of having a complete absence of human interference in ecosystems, while ideal in some respects, is not practical or necessary for maintaining ecological integrity since human involvement can also support and enhance biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Economic viability is more related to how natural resources are utilized sustainably rather than their ecological health. Lastly, while understanding the geographic distribution of ecosystems is important for conservation efforts, it does not directly address the concept of integrity, which focuses on the functional health and stability of those ecosystems.