Combating ecosystem collapse from the tropics to the Antarctic

Bergstrom, Dana;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;Depledge, Michael H.;Dickson, Catherine;Duke, Norman C.;Helmstedt, Kate J.;Holz, Andres;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.;Sgro, 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.

Norm Duke

Abstract

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.

Journal

Global Change Biology

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Global Change Biology

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1365-2486

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Blackwell Publishing

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DOI

10.1111/gcb.15529