Track 2-01: The Ecology of Grassland and Forage Ecosystems
Description
The concept of ecological threshold has spurred important advances in understanding the nonlinear behavior of ecosystems to various disturbances (Groffman et al. 2006, Suding and Hobbs 2009). Studies on lakes, coral reefs, and arid grasslands have shown that structural attributes of ecosystems can change abruptly along a disturbance gradient (Scheffer and Carpenter 2003, Mumby et al. 2007, Sasaki et al. 2008). Yet, such nonlinear response patterns are implicitly assumed to reflect the modification of system feedbacks and interactions. We know little about mechanistic linkages between nonlinear response patterns and underlying feedback mechanisms, and the irreversibility of nonlinear responses. Consequently, in many applied settings, the threshold concept is being adopted without sufficient evaluation of evidence. Here, we present initial work towards the understanding of threshold dynamics of vegetation in a Mongolian shrubland. Our study should enhance the conceptual development of ecological threshold as well as human decision-making.
Included in
Threshold Dynamics of Vegetation and Their Management Implications in a Mongolian Shrubland
The concept of ecological threshold has spurred important advances in understanding the nonlinear behavior of ecosystems to various disturbances (Groffman et al. 2006, Suding and Hobbs 2009). Studies on lakes, coral reefs, and arid grasslands have shown that structural attributes of ecosystems can change abruptly along a disturbance gradient (Scheffer and Carpenter 2003, Mumby et al. 2007, Sasaki et al. 2008). Yet, such nonlinear response patterns are implicitly assumed to reflect the modification of system feedbacks and interactions. We know little about mechanistic linkages between nonlinear response patterns and underlying feedback mechanisms, and the irreversibility of nonlinear responses. Consequently, in many applied settings, the threshold concept is being adopted without sufficient evaluation of evidence. Here, we present initial work towards the understanding of threshold dynamics of vegetation in a Mongolian shrubland. Our study should enhance the conceptual development of ecological threshold as well as human decision-making.
