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 7.7Mkm 2 , from Australia...
Published in: | Global Change Biology |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
2021
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15539 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33629799 http://ecite.utas.edu.au/151326 |
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 7.7Mkm 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 517 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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