Climate change, ecosystems and abrupt change: science priorities Journal Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Ecologists have long studied patterns, directions and tempos of change, but there is a pressing need to extend current understanding to empirical observations of abrupt changes as climate warming accelerates. Abrupt changes in ecological systems (ACES)—changes that are fast in time or fast relative to their drivers—are ubiquitous and increasing in frequency. Powerful theoretical frameworks exist, yet applications in real-world landscapes to detect, explain and anticipate ACES have lagged. We highlight five insights emerging from empirical studies of ACES across diverse ecosystems: (i) ecological systems show ACES in some dimensions but not others; (ii) climate extremes may be more important than mean climate in generating ACES; (iii) interactions among multiple drivers often produce ACES; (iv) contingencies, such as ecological memory, frequency and sequence of disturbances, and spatial context are important; and (v) tipping points are often (but not always) associated with ACES. We suggest research priorities to advance understanding of ACES in the face of climate change. Progress in understanding ACES requires strong integration of scientific approaches (theory, observations, experiments and process-based models) and high-quality empirical data drawn from a diverse array of ecosystems.; This article is part of the theme issue ‘Climate change and ecosystems: threats, opportunities and solutions’

publication date

  • March 16, 2020

has restriction

  • bronze

Date in CU Experts

  • January 19, 2021 9:15 AM

Full Author List

  • Turner MG; Calder WJ; Cumming GS; Hughes TP; Jentsch A; LaDeau SL; Lenton TM; Shuman BN; Turetsky MR; Ratajczak Z

author count

  • 13

Other Profiles

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0962-8436

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1471-2970

Additional Document Info

start page

  • 20190105

end page

  • 20190105

volume

  • 375

issue

  • 1794