Shifting baseline syndrome: causes, consequences, and implications

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 16(4), P. 222 - 230

Published: April 4, 2018

With ongoing environmental degradation at local, regional, and global scales, people's accepted thresholds for conditions are continually being lowered. In the absence of past information or experience with historical conditions, members each new generation accept situation in which they were raised as normal. This psychological sociological phenomenon is termed shifting baseline syndrome (SBS), increasingly recognized one fundamental obstacles to addressing a wide range today's issues. Yet our understanding this remains incomplete. We provide an overview nature extent SBS propose conceptual framework its causes, consequences, implications. suggest that there several self‐reinforcing feedback loops allow consequences further accelerate through progressive degradation. Such negative implications highlight urgent need dedicate considerable effort preventing ultimately reversing SBS.

Language: Английский

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Rewilding complex ecosystems

Science, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 364(6438)

Published: April 25, 2019

The practice of rewilding has been both promoted and criticized in recent years. Benefits include flexibility to react environmental change the promotion opportunities for society reconnect with nature. Criticisms lack a clear conceptualization rewilding, insufficient knowledge about possible outcomes, perception that excludes people from landscapes. Here, we present framework addresses these concerns. We suggest efforts should target trophic complexity, natural disturbances, dispersal as interacting processes can improve ecosystem resilience maintain biodiversity. propose structured approach projects includes assessment contributions nature social-ecological constraints on restoration.

Language: Английский

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Megafauna and ecosystem function from the Pleistocene to the Anthropocene

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 113(4), P. 838 - 846

Published: Jan. 25, 2016

Large herbivores and carnivores (the megafauna) have been in a state of decline extinction since the Late Pleistocene, both on land more recently oceans. Much has written timing causes these declines, but only scientific attention focused consequences declines for ecosystem function. Here, we review progress our understanding how megafauna affect physical trophic structure, species composition, biogeochemistry, climate, drawing special features PNAS Ecography that published as result an international workshop this topic held Oxford 2014. Insights emerging from work changes biosphere function Pleistocene functioning contemporary ecosystems, well offering rationale framework scientifically informed restoration megafaunal where possible appropriate.

Language: Английский

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Vulnerability of the industrialized microbiota

Science, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 366(6464)

Published: Oct. 24, 2019

One world, one health As people increasingly move to cities, their lifestyles profoundly change. Sonnenburg and review how the shift of recent generations from rural, outdoor environments urbanized industrialized settings has affected our biology health. The signals change are seen most strikingly in reduction commensal microbial taxa loss metabolic functions. extirpation human commensals is a result bombardment by new chemicals, foodstuffs, sanitation, medical practices. For people, sanitation readily available food have been beneficial, but we now reached tipping point? How do “conserve” beneficial symbionts keep pathogens at bay? Science , this issue p. eaaw9255

Language: Английский

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Levers and leverage points for pathways to sustainability

People and Nature, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 2(3), P. 693 - 717

Published: July 23, 2020

Abstract Humanity is on a deeply unsustainable trajectory. We are exceeding planetary boundaries and unlikely to meet many international sustainable development goals global environmental targets. Until recently, there was no broadly accepted framework of interventions that could ignite the transformations needed achieve these desired targets goals. As component IPBES Global Assessment, we conducted an iterative expert deliberation process with extensive review scenarios pathways sustainability, including broader literature indirect drivers, social change sustainability transformation. asked, what most important elements sustainability? Applying social–ecological systems lens, identified eight priority points for intervention (leverage points) five overarching strategic actions (levers), which appear be key societal The leverage are: (1) Visions good life, (2) Total consumption waste, (3) Latent values responsibility, (4) Inequalities, (5) Justice inclusion in conservation, (6) Externalities from trade other telecouplings, (7) Responsible technology, innovation investment, (8) Education knowledge generation sharing. intertwined levers can applied across more broadly. These include: (A) Incentives capacity building, (B) Coordination sectors jurisdictions, (C) Pre‐emptive action, (D) Adaptive decision‐making (E) Environmental law implementation. all non‐substitutable, each enables others, likely leading synergistic benefits. Transformative towards requires than simple scaling‐up initiatives—it entails addressing fabric legal, political, economic systems. build upon those approved within Assessment's Summary Policymakers, aim enabling leaders government, business, civil society academia spark transformative changes just world. A free Plain Language found Supporting Information this article.

Language: Английский

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Four priority areas to advance invasion science in the face of rapid environmental change

Environmental Reviews, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 29(2), P. 119 - 141

Published: Dec. 7, 2020

Unprecedented rates of introduction and spread non-native species pose burgeoning challenges to biodiversity, natural resource management, regional economies, human health. Current biosecurity efforts are failing keep pace with globalization, revealing critical gaps in our understanding response invasions. Here, we identify four priority areas advance invasion science the face rapid global environmental change. First, should strive develop a more comprehensive framework for predicting how behavior, abundance, interspecific interactions vary relation conditions receiving environments these factors govern ecological impacts invasion. A second is understand potential synergistic effects multiple co-occurring stressors— particularly involving climate change—on establishment impact species. Climate adaptation mitigation strategies will need consider possible consequences promoting species, appropriate management responses be developed. The third address taxonomic impediment. ability detect evaluate risks compromised by growing deficit expertise, which cannot adequately compensated new molecular technologies alone. Management become increasingly challenging unless academia, industry, governments train employ personnel taxonomy systematics. Fourth, recommend that internationally cooperative bridgehead dispersal networks, organisms tend invade regions from locations where they have already established. Cooperation among countries eradicate or control established yield greater benefit than independent attempts individual exclude arriving establishing.

Language: Английский

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State of the World's Birds

Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 47(1), P. 231 - 260

Published: May 5, 2022

We present an overview of the global spatiotemporal distribution avian biodiversity, changes in our knowledge that and extent to which it is imperilled. Birds are probably most completely inventoried large taxonomic class organisms, permitting a uniquely detailed understanding how Anthropocene has shaped their distributions conservation status space time. summarize threats driving bird species richness abundance, highlighting increasingly synergistic interactions between such as habitat loss, climate change, overexploitation. Many metrics biodiversity exhibiting globally consistent negative trends, with International Union for Conservation Nature's Red List Index showing steady deterioration avifauna over past three decades. identify key measures counter this loss associated ecosystemservices, will necessitate increased consideration social context interventions order deliver positive transformative change nature.

Language: Английский

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Impacts of large herbivores on terrestrial ecosystems

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 33(11), P. R584 - R610

Published: June 1, 2023

Language: Английский

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Is rewilding too wild? Assessing the benefits and challenges of forest succession on abandoned land in the mid‐hills of Nepal

People and Nature, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 5, 2025

Abstract The rewilding of landscapes through the promotion natural ecological processes is a contemporary approach to nature restoration and conservation. In Nepal elsewhere globally, forest also regenerating naturally on abandoned agricultural land, effectively landscape by default. We investigate factors that lead reforestation examine tensions trade‐offs in rural areas traditionally dependent agriculture for subsistence livelihoods. Perceptions succession middle hills are analysed relation views rewilding. households' experiences compare those insights with perceptions concept as understood environmental management professionals Nepal. assess perceived benefits species challenges acquiring these forest‐based causes agrarian‐forest transitions complex often compounding. With out‐migration from shift away agriculture, new cyclic conflicts emerging. Although largely synonymous, language such ‘wild’ ‘wilderness’ associated negative human–wildlife conflict invasive species, suggesting term ‘rewilding’ poses more regard than ‘regenerating forest’. However, research participants identified beneficial livelihood conservation opportunities emphasised potential co‐existence emerging forests within traditional landscapes. epistemology therefore vital framing conceptions transitions. Guiding stakeholders identify develop during possible. Diverse were recognised households study area, some respondents adopting agroforestry systems using species. Policy implications : development around land use change needs realise multiple issues arise Regenerating could contribute global biodiversity targets pathways promoting biota benefits. Steps work with, rather against, effects regeneration deliver positive outcomes sustainable livelihoods beyond. Read free Plain Language Summary this article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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Wilderness values in rewilding: Transatlantic perspectives

Environmental Values, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 15, 2025

This article re-investigates the underlying values driving rapidly growing rewilding movement in Europe and North America. In doing so, we respond to a common academic narrative that draws sharp distinction between American European approaches rewilding. Whereas first is said promote colonial vision of wilderness, claimed value more inclusive notion wildness. We challenge this through genealogical investigation into wild(er)ness ideas inspired rewilding, showing draw from similar philosophical sources with cross-continental origins. Thus, contend linguistic shift ‘wilderness’ ‘wildness’ fails engage substantively critique it alleges resolve. Through two case studies, show how both wilderness wildness concepts have been employed support either colonialism or decolonial resistance attention need consider specific socio-political contexts when assessing Ultimately, propose reclaiming liberatory meaning wild(er)ness, articulated critical tradition advocacy, will be an essential step decolonising

Language: Английский

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