Combating ecosystem collapse from the tropics to the Antarctic

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Environmental Science
• Conservation Biology

Background:

• Ecosystem collapse, characterized by irreversible changes in structure, composition, and function, poses a significant threat to global biodiversity, human health, and well-being.
• Widespread ecosystem degradation is driven by a combination of global climate change and regional anthropogenic pressures, manifesting as chronic or acute disturbances.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the current status and recent trends of 19 diverse ecosystems across a wide latitudinal range.
• To categorize ecosystem responses to multiple environmental pressures and identify distinct collapse profiles.
• To introduce a novel three-step framework for the assessment and management of ecosystem degradation.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the current state and recent trajectories of 19 ecosystems globally.
• Identification and categorization of pressures driving ecosystem change, including climate change and human impacts.
• Classification of ecosystem responses into four distinct collapse profiles: abrupt, smooth, stepped, and fluctuating.

Main Results:

• Observed widespread ecosystem collapse serves as a critical warning of environmental degradation.
• Identified four distinct profiles of ecosystem response to various pressures.
• Demonstrated the impact of chronic 'presses' and acute 'pulses' on ecosystem stability.

Conclusions:

• Urgent action is necessary to mitigate further ecosystem degradation and its consequences.
• The proposed 3As Pathway (Awareness, Anticipation, Action) provides a strategic framework for effective management.
• Implementing this framework is crucial for alleviating degradation and securing a sustainable future.