Combating ecosystem collapse from the tropics to the Antarctic

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 km 2 , from Australia...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Global Change Biology
Main Authors: Bergstrom, Dana M., Wienecke, Barbara C., van den Hoff, John, Hughes, Lesley, Lindenmayer, David B., Ainsworth, Tracy D., Baker, Christopher M., Bland, Lucie, Bowman, David M. J. S., Brooks, Shaun T., Canadell, Josep G., Constable, Andrew J., Dafforn, Katherine A., Depledge, Michael H., Dickson, Catherine R., Duke, Norman C., Helmstedt, Kate J., Holz, Andrés, Johnson, Craig R., McGeoch, Melodie A., Melbourne-Thomas, Jessica, Morgain, Rachel, Nicholson, Emily, Prober, Suzanne M., Raymond, Ben, Ritchie, Euan G., Robinson, Sharon A., Ruthrof, Katinka X., Setterfield, Samantha A., Sgrò, Carla M., Stark, Jonathan S., Travers, Toby, Trebilco, Rowan, Ward, Delphi F. L., Wardle, Glenda M., Williams, Kristen J., Zylstra, Phillip J., Shaw, Justine D.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2021
Subjects:
adaptive management
climate change
ecosystem collapse
human impacts
pressures
Antarc*
Antarctic
Antarctica
Online Access:https://researchers.mq.edu.au/en/publications/6352d57b-45dd-4621-8b9c-e7dae1bb3a62
https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15539
http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85101779465&partnerID=8YFLogxK
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DE200101791
Description
Summary: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 km 2 , 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.

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