Catastrophic shifts in ecosystems

Marten Scheffer (), Steve Carpenter, Jonathan A. Foley, Carl Folke and Brian Walker
Additional contact information
Marten Scheffer: Wageningen University, PO Box 8080
Steve Carpenter: Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin
Jonathan A. Foley: Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment (SAGE), Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin
Carl Folke: Stockholm University
Brian Walker: CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, GPO Box 284

Nature, 2001, vol. 413, issue 6856, 591-596

Abstract: Abstract All ecosystems are exposed to gradual changes in climate, nutrient loading, habitat fragmentation or biotic exploitation. Nature is usually assumed to respond to gradual change in a smooth way. However, studies on lakes, coral reefs, oceans, forests and arid lands have shown that smooth change can be interrupted by sudden drastic switches to a contrasting state. Although diverse events can trigger such shifts, recent studies show that a loss of resilience usually paves the way for a switch to an alternative state. This suggests that strategies for sustainable management of such ecosystems should focus on maintaining resilience.

Date: 2001
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DOI: 10.1038/35098000

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