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Related Concept Videos

Global Climate Change01:50

Global Climate Change

Throughout its ~4.5 billion year history, the Earth has experienced periods of warming and cooling. However, the current drastic increase in global temperatures is well outside of the Earth’s cyclic norms, and evidence for human-caused global climate change is compelling. Paleoclimatology, the study of ancient climate conditions, provides ample evidence for human-caused global climate change by comparing recent conditions with those in the past.
Threats to Biodiversity01:50

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There have been five major extinction events throughout geological history, resulting in the elimination of biodiversity, followed by a rebound of species that adapted to the new conditions. In the current geological epoch, the Holocene, there is a sixth extinction event in progress. This mass extinction has been attributed to human activities and is thus provisionally called the Anthropocene. In 2019 the human population reached 7.7 billion people and is projected to comprise 10 billion by...
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Ecological Disturbance02:26

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An ecological disturbance is a temporary disruption in the environment resulting from abiotic, biotic, or anthropogenic factors, causing a pronounced change in an ecosystem. The impact of an ecological disturbance, which can depend on its intensity, frequency, and spatial distribution, plays a significant role in shaping the species diversity within the ecosystem.
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Conditions on Early Earth02:06

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Using Generative Art to Convey Past and Future Climate Transitions
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Published on: March 31, 2023

Approaching a state shift in Earth's biosphere.

Anthony D Barnosky1, Elizabeth A Hadly, Jordi Bascompte

  • 1Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA. barnosky@berkeley.edu

Nature
|June 9, 2012
PubMed
Summary

The global ecosystem may be approaching a planetary-scale tipping point due to human activities. Early warning signs and addressing human impact are crucial for biological forecasting and preventing irreversible shifts.

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Environmental Science
  • Climate Science

Background:

  • Ecological systems exhibit abrupt, irreversible shifts across critical thresholds.
  • Human activities are increasingly forcing global biological changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence for a planetary-scale critical transition in the global ecosystem.
  • To highlight the need for improved biological forecasting and early warning systems.
  • To address the root causes of human-induced environmental changes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature on ecological thresholds and tipping points.
  • Analysis of evidence for global ecosystem responses to human influence.
  • Discussion of early warning signals and feedback mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests the global ecosystem may be approaching a critical transition, analogous to localized tipping points.
  • Planetary-scale tipping points are plausible due to cumulative human pressures.
  • Identifying early warning signs and understanding feedback loops are essential.

Conclusions:

  • The global ecosystem's potential to undergo a critical transition necessitates urgent attention.
  • Improved biological forecasting requires detecting global and local early warning signs.
  • Addressing the root causes of human impact is vital to mitigate risks of irreversible global change.