Predictive systems ecology

Evans, M. R.; Bithell, M.; Cornell, S. J.; Dall, S. R. X.; Diaz, S.; Emmott, S.; Ernande, B.; Grimm, V.; Hodgson, D. J.; Lewis, S. L.; Mace, G. M.; Morecroft, M.; Moustakas, A.; Murphy, E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7369-9196; Newbold, T.; Norris, K. J.; Petchey, O.; Smith, M.; Travis, J. M. J.; Benton, T. G.. 2013 Predictive systems ecology. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 280 (1771). 20131452. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2013.1452

Before downloading, please read NORA policies.

Preview

Text
Proc. R. Soc. B-2013-Evans-.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.
Download (541kB) | Preview

Abstract/Summary

Human societies, and their well-being, depend to a significant extent on the state of the ecosystems that surround them. These ecosystems are changing rapidly usually in response to anthropogenic changes in the environment. To determine the likely impact of environmental change on ecosystems and the best ways to manage them, it would be desirable to be able to predict their future states. We present a proposal to develop the paradigm of predictive systems ecology, explicitly to understand and predict the properties and behaviour of ecological systems. We discuss the necessary and desirable features of predictive systems ecology models. There are places where predictive systems ecology is already being practised and we summarize a range of terrestrial and marine examples. Significant challenges remain but we suggest that ecology would benefit both as a scientific discipline and increase its impact in society if it were to embrace the need to become more predictive.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2013.1452
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Polar Science for Planet Earth (2009 - ) > Ecosystems
ISSN:	0962-8452
Date made live:	02 Dec 2013 12:11 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/504086

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2013.1452

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > Polar Science for Planet Earth (2009 - ) > Ecosystems

ISSN:

0962-8452

Date made live:

02 Dec 2013 12:11 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/504086