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Combating ecosystem collapse from the tropics to the Antarctic
Author(s) -
Bergstrom Dana M.,
Wienecke Barbara C.,
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.,
MelbourneThomas 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.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
global change biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.146
H-Index - 255
eISSN - 1365-2486
pISSN - 1354-1013
DOI - 10.1111/gcb.15539
Subject(s) - ecosystem , coral reef , climate change , biodiversity , marine ecosystem , ecosystem services , environmental science , ecosystem health , disturbance (geology) , terrestrial ecosystem , environmental resource management , ecology , oceanography , geology , biology , paleontology
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.