Ecosystems are showing symptoms of resilience loss

TL;DR

This study assesses global ecosystem resilience, revealing that up to nearly a third show signs of resilience loss, especially in Arctic and Indian Ocean regions, aiding targeted conservation efforts.

Contribution

It provides the first global measurement of ecosystem resilience loss using primary productivity proxies, identifying vulnerable regions and potential transition synchrony.

Findings

Up to 29% of terrestrial and 24% of marine ecosystems show resilience loss.

Arctic tundra and boreal forests are most affected.

Indian Ocean and Eastern Pacific are key vulnerable regions.

Abstract

Ecosystems around the world are at risk of critical transitions due to increasing anthropogenic pressures and climate change. Yet it is unclear where the risks are higher or where in the world ecosystems are more vulnerable. Here I measure resilience of primary productivity proxies for marine and terrestrial ecosystems globally. Up to 29% of global terrestrial ecosystem, and 24% marine ones, show symptoms of resilience loss. These symptoms are shown in all biomes, but Arctic tundra and boreal forest are the most affected, as well as the Indian Ocean and Eastern Pacific. Although the results are likely an underestimation, they enable the identification of risk areas as well as the potential synchrony of some transitions, helping prioritize areas for management interventions and conservation.