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Thresholds in Ecological and Social-Ecological Systems

A Developing Database

Bibliographic Data

ID4239765
AuthorsBrian Walker (0000-0002-9136-3055, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation), Jacqueline A Meyers
Year2004
Volume9
Issue2
Publication date2004-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueConservation Ecology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1195-5449 • E-ISSN: 1708-3087
PublisherResilience Alliance (PUBLISHER • CA)
DOI10.5751/es-00664-090203
OpenAlexW121311783
LanguageEN
Citations received107
References cited11

Increasing interest in regime shifts in ecological and linked social-ecological systems (SESs) has placed a strong focus on the thresholds of change. However, research into this topic has been hampered by a lack of empirical data. This paper describes a developing database established to address this need. The database is freely available and comprises a set of summarized published examples and a searchable bibliographic database of publications on the topic. Thresholds in the database are characterized in terms of a standardized set of 24 descriptors, including the variables along which they occur, the variables that change, and the factors that have driven the change. Readers are encouraged to contribute new examples. Examples range from conceptual models to empirical evidence. The former predominate in the literature and, although they make valuable contributions and will continue to be included, the intention is build up the number of examples based on data. Examples are presented in terms of whether the threshold occurs in the ecological system, the social system, or both, and the direction of interactions between systems. The paper concludes with some initial observations on thresholds based on the examples included so far, and poses some questions for future research. Research on a typology of thresholds is a priority topic in the emerging area of "sustainability science" and it requires a rich database of empirical data

Biology · Ecological systems theory · Environmental resource management · Geography · Ecosystem dynamics and resilience · Environmental Science · Sustainability and Climate Change Governance · Sustainability and Ecological Systems Analysis · Ecology

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Unique citing works107
Citations per year4,86
Citation span2004 - 2026 (23)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedYes
Citation typesNeutral: 73
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