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- Title
Towards an Integrative, Eco-Evolutionary Understanding of Ecological Novelty: Studying and Communicating Interlinked Effects of Global Change.
- Authors
Heger, Tina; Bernard-Verdier, Maud; Gessler, Arthur; Greenwood, Alex D; Grossart, Hans-Peter; Hilker, Monika; Keinath, Silvia; Kowarik, Ingo; Kueffer, Christoph; Marquard, Elisabeth; Müller, Johannes; Niemeier, Stephanie; Onandia, Gabriela; Petermann, Jana S; Rillig, Matthias C; Rödel, Mark-Oliver; Saul, Wolf-Christian; Schittko, Conrad; Tockner, Klement; Joshi, Jasmin
- Abstract
Global change has complex eco-evolutionary consequences for organisms and ecosystems, but related concepts (e.g. novel ecosystems) do not cover their full range. Here we propose an umbrella concept of "ecological novelty" comprising (1) a site-specific and (2) an organism-centered, eco-evolutionary perspective. Under this umbrella, complementary options for studying and communicating effects of global change on organisms, ecosystems, and landscapes can be included in a toolbox. This allows researchers to address ecological novelty from different perspectives, e.g. by defining it based on (a) categorical or continuous measures, (b) reference conditions related to sites or organisms, and (c) types of human activities. We suggest striving for a descriptive, non-normative usage of the term "ecological novelty" in science. Normative evaluations and decisions about conservation policies or management are important, but require additional societal processes and engagement with multiple stakeholders.
- Subjects
ECOSYSTEMS; COMPREHENSION; UMBRELLAS; CONCEPTS
- Publication
BioScience, 2019, Vol 69, Issue 11, p888
- ISSN
0006-3568
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/biosci/biz095