Threshold models in restoration and conservation: a developing framework

The recognition that a system can appear resilient to changes in the environment, only to reach a critical threshold of rapid and unexpected change, is spurring work to apply threshold models in conservation and restoration. Here we address the relevance of threshold models to habitat management. Wo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trends in ecology & evolution (Amsterdam) 2009-05, Vol.24 (5), p.271-279
Main Authors: Suding, Katharine N., Hobbs, Richard J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Applied ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Conservation of Natural Resources - methods
Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife
Ecosystem
Environmental degradation: ecosystems survey and restoration
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects
Models, Biological
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Summary:The recognition that a system can appear resilient to changes in the environment, only to reach a critical threshold of rapid and unexpected change, is spurring work to apply threshold models in conservation and restoration. Here we address the relevance of threshold models to habitat management. Work to date indicates these concepts are highly applicable: human impacts can widen the range of habitats where threshold dynamics occur and shift communities into new states that are difficult to reverse. However, in many applied settings, threshold concepts are being adopted without evaluation of evidence and uncertainty. We suggest a framework for incorporating threshold models that reflects an emphasis on applicability to decision making and management on relatively short timescales and in human-impacted systems.
ISSN:0169-5347
1872-8383
DOI:10.1016/j.tree.2008.11.012