Scheffer, M., Barrett, S., Carpenter, S.R., Folke, C., Green, A.J., Holmgren, M., Hughes, T.P., Kosten, S., van de Leemput, I.A., Nepstad, D.C., van Nes, E.H., Peeters, E.T.H.M., and Walker, B. (2015) Creating a safe operating space for iconic ecosystems. Science, 347 (6228). pp. 1317-1319.

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Abstract

Although some ecosystem responses to climate change are gradual, many ecosystems react in highly nonlinear ways. They show little response until a threshold or tipping point is reached where even a small perturbation may trigger collapse into a state from which recovery is difficult (1). Increasing evidence shows that the critical climate level for such collapse may be altered by conditions that can be managed locally. These synergies between local stressors and climate change provide potential opportunities for proactive management. Although their clarity and scale make such local approaches more conducive to action than global greenhouse gas management, crises in iconic UNESCO World Heritage sites illustrate that such stewardship is at risk of failing.

Item ID:	42242
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1095-9203
Funders:	European Research Council (ERC), Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study, National Science Foundation (NSF), Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO), Spinoza award, WIMEK Research Fellowship
Projects and Grants:	NWO Veni grant 86312012.
Date Deposited:	06 Apr 2016 02:36
FoR Codes:	06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0602 Ecology > 060205 Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl Marine Ichthyology) @ 50% 05 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 0502 Environmental Science and Management > 050204 Environmental Impact Assessment @ 50%
SEO Codes:	96 ENVIRONMENT > 9605 Ecosystem Assessment and Management > 960507 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Marine Environments @ 100%
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