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Combating ecosystem collapse from the tropics to the Antarctic

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-21, 09:52 authored by Bergstrom, DM, Wienecke, BC, van den Hoff, J, Hughes, L, Lindenmayer, DB, Ainsworth, TD, Baker, CM, Bland, L, David BowmanDavid Bowman, Shaun Brooks, Canadell, JG, Andrew ConstableAndrew Constable, Dafforn, KA, Depledge, MH, Dickson, CR, Duke, NC, Helmstedt, KJ, Holz, A, Craig JohnsonCraig Johnson, McGeoch, MA, Jessica Melbourne-ThomasJessica Melbourne-Thomas, Morgain, R, Nicholson, E, Prober, SM, Ben Raymond, Ritchie, EG, Robinson, SA, Ruthrof, KX, Setterfield, SA, Sgro, CM, Stark, JS, Toby TraversToby Travers, Rowan TrebilcoRowan Trebilco, Delphi WardDelphi Ward, Wardle, GM, Williams, KJ, Zylstra, PJ, Shaw, JD

Globally, collapse of ecosystems - potentially irreversible change to ecosystem structure, composition and function - imperils biodiversity, human health and well-being. We examine the current state and recent trajectories of 19 ecosystems, spanning 58° of latitude across 7.7 M km2, from Australia's coral reefs to terrestrial Antarctica. Pressures from global climate change and regional human impacts, occurring as chronic ‘presses’ and/or acute ‘pulses’, drive ecosystem collapse. Ecosystem responses to 5–17 pressures were categorised as four collapse profiles - abrupt, smooth, stepped and fluctuating. The manifestation of widespread ecosystem collapse is a stark warning of the necessity to take action. We present a three-step assessment and management framework (3As Pathway Awareness, Anticipation and Action) to aid strategic and effective mitigation to alleviate further degradation to help secure our future.

History

Publication title

Global Change Biology

Volume

27

Issue

9

Pagination

1692-1703

ISSN

1354-1013

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Place of publication

9600 Garsington Rd, Oxford, England, Oxon, Ox4 2Dg

Rights statement

© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Ecosystem adaptation to climate change

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