Key impacts of climate engineering on biodiversity and ecosystems, with priorities for future research

McCormack, Caitlin G.; Born, Wanda; Irvine, Peter J.; Achterberg, Eric P.; Amano, Tatsuya; Ardron, Jeff; Foster, Pru N.; Gattuso, Jean-Pierre; Hawkins, Stephen J.; Hendy, Erica; Kissling, W. Daniel; Lluch-Cota, Salvador E.; Murphy, Eugene J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7369-9196; Ostle, Nick; Owens, Nicholas J.P.; Perry, R. Ian; Pörtner, Hans O.; Scholes, Robert J.; Schurr, Frank M.; Schweiger, Oliver; Settele, Josef; Smith, Rebecca K.; Smith, Sarah; Thompson, Jill; Tittensor, Derek P.; van Kleunen, Mark; Vivian, Chris; Vohland, Katrin; Warren, Rachel; Watkinson, Andrew R.; Widdicombe, Steve; Williamson, Phillip; Woods, Emma; Blackstock, Jason J.; Sutherland, William J.. 2016 Key impacts of climate engineering on biodiversity and ecosystems, with priorities for future research. Journal of Integrative Environmental Sciences, 13 (2-4). 103-128. https://doi.org/10.1080/1943815X.2016.1159578

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1943815X.2016.1159578

Abstract/Summary

Climate change has significant implications for biodiversity and ecosystems. With slow progress towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions, climate engineering (or ‘geoengineering’) is receiving increasing attention for its potential to limit anthropogenic climate change and its damaging effects. Proposed techniques, such as ocean fertilization for carbon dioxide removal or stratospheric sulfate injections to reduce incoming solar radiation, would significantly alter atmospheric, terrestrial and marine environments, yet potential side-effects of their implementation for ecosystems and biodiversity have received little attention. A literature review was carried out to identify details of the potential ecological effects of climate engineering techniques. A group of biodiversity and environmental change researchers then employed a modified Delphi expert consultation technique to evaluate this evidence and prioritize the effects based on the relative importance of, and scientific understanding about, their biodiversity and ecosystem consequences. The key issues and knowledge gaps are used to shape a discussion of the biodiversity and ecosystem implications of climate engineering, including novel climatic conditions, alterations to marine systems and substantial terrestrial habitat change. This review highlights several current research priorities in which the climate engineering context is crucial to consider, as well as identifying some novel topics for ecological investigation.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1080/1943815X.2016.1159578
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > BAS Programmes 2015 > Ecosystems
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Watt
ISSN:	1943-815X
Additional Keywords:	biodiversity, carbon dioxide removal, climate engineering, ecosystems, geoengineering, solar radiation management
NORA Subject Terms:	Earth Sciences Meteorology and Climatology Atmospheric Sciences
Date made live:	11 Apr 2016 14:14 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/513412

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1080/1943815X.2016.1159578

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > BAS Programmes 2015 > Ecosystems

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Watt

ISSN:

1943-815X

Additional Keywords:

biodiversity, carbon dioxide removal, climate engineering, ecosystems, geoengineering, solar radiation management