The Impact of Global Change Factors on Ecosystem Services

Resistance Declines with Increasing Stressors

A recent study has found that the resistance of multiple ecosystem services to global change declines with an increasing number of global change factors. Researchers analyzed 1880 surface soil samples from 68 countries across all continents and found that the resistance of ecosystems to global change decreases significantly as the number of stressors increases.

Implications for Ecosystem Management

This study highlights the importance of considering multiple global change factors when managing ecosystems. It suggests that ecosystems are less resilient to change when they are exposed to multiple stressors, such as climate change, land-use change, and pollution. This information can help land managers develop more effective strategies for protecting ecosystems and the services they provide.

Vulnerability of Ecosystem Services

The study also found that the vulnerability of ecosystem services to global change is influenced by the type of service. For example, services such as carbon storage and water purification were more resistant to change than services such as food production and biodiversity. This information can help land managers prioritize which ecosystem services to protect.

Ecosystem Services and Human Well-being

Ecosystem services are essential for human well-being. They provide us with food, water, air, and shelter, and they support our economies and cultures. The decline in ecosystem resistance to global change is a serious threat to human well-being and it is important to take steps to protect our ecosystems.

Recommendations for Action

The study authors recommend a number of actions that can be taken to protect ecosystems and the services they provide. These include:

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the effects of climate change.
• Implementing sustainable land-use practices to reduce habitat loss and degradation.
• Reducing pollution to improve air and water quality.
• Investing in research to develop new ways to protect ecosystems and the services they provide.

Conclusion

The study provides new evidence of the vulnerability of ecosystem services to global change. It is important to consider multiple global change factors when managing ecosystems and to prioritize the protection of services that are most vulnerable to change. By taking action to protect ecosystems, we can ensure that they continue to provide us with the essential services we rely on.

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-022-00994-9