The resilience of marine ecosystems to climatic disturbances
O'Leary, Jennifer K., Micheli, Fiorenza, Airoldi, Laura, Boch, Charles, De Leo, Guilio, Elahi, Robin, Ferretti, Francesco, Graham, Nicholas A.J., Litvin, Steven Y., Low, Natalie H., Lummis, Sarah, Nickols, Kerry J., and Wong, Joanne (2017) The resilience of marine ecosystems to climatic disturbances. BioScience, 67 (3). pp. 208-220.
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Abstract
The intensity and frequency of climate-driven disturbances are increasing in coastal marine ecosystems. Understanding the factors that enhance or inhibit ecosystem resilience to climatic disturbance is essential. We surveyed 97 experts in six major coastal biogenic ecosystem types to identify "bright spots" of resilience in the face of climate change. We also evaluated literature that was recommended by the experts that addresses the responses of habitat-forming species to climatic disturbance. Resilience was commonly reported in the expert surveys (80% of experts). Resilience was observed in all ecosystem types and at multiple locations worldwide. The experts and literature cited remaining biogenic habitat, recruitment/connectivity, physical setting, and management of local-scale stressors as most important for resilience. These findings suggest that coastal ecosystems may still hold great potential to persist in the face of climate change and that local-to regional-scale management can help buffer global climatic impacts.
| Item ID: | 50415 |
|---|---|
| Item Type: | Article (Research - C1) |
| ISSN: | 1525-3244 |
| Keywords: | resistance, recovery, persistence, biogenic habitat, conservation and management |
| Funders: | National Science Foundation (USA) (NSF), Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (GBMF), Hopkins Marine Life Observatory, Fulbright Research Scholarship, Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR), MARES, Lenfest Ocean Program |
| Projects and Grants: | NSf-CNH program grant no. DEB-1212124, MIUR project TETRIS PRIN 2011, MARES no. EU-512002-1-2010-1-BE-EMJD, NSF OA program award no. OCE-1416934, NSF no. DBI-1308719 |
| Date Deposited: | 20 Sep 2017 08:46 |
| FoR Codes: | 41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4101 Climate change impacts and adaptation > 410102 Ecological impacts of climate change and ecological adaptation @ 50% 31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3103 Ecology > 310305 Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) @ 50% |
| SEO Codes: | 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9603 Climate and Climate Change > 960305 Ecosystem Adaptation to Climate Change @ 100% |
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