Novel ecosystems

Challenges and opportunities for the Anthropocene

Datos Bibliográficos

ID4189019
AutoresMarcus Collier (0000-0002-6853-9980, University College Dublin), Marcus J Collier, Catherine Devitt (0000-0002-7226-3868, University College Dublin)
Año2016
Volumen3
Número3
Páginas231-242
Fecha de publicación2016-12-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaThe Anthropocene Review (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2053-0196 • E-ISSN: 2053-020X
EditorialSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/2053019616662053
OpenAlexW2485222265
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas2
Referencias citadas67

Novel ecosystems are ecological assemblages that have emerged in the landscapes of the Anthropocene, where an ecological abiotic or biotic threshold has been passed and can no longer be restored to a previous state. In such landscapes, novelty is attributed to unanticipated rapid anthropogenic environmental change, and deliberate land use practices, and can be characterised by the arrival over time of differing species assemblages and extent. While little has been explored in the literature with respect to the policy implications of novel ecosystems, calls have been made for a better understanding of the barriers to adopting novel ecosystems within mainstream policy. This review reports on a qualitative literature analysis carried out in order to identify the challenges and opportunities for transposing novel ecosystem theory into mainstream policy. Though published debate is still emerging, eleven policy challenges broadly conforming to three themes were identified. Within these themes three opportunity areas were identified, revealing that more focused discussion is required on the wider policy implications of novel ecosystems beyond the stated concerns about lowering standards in ecological conservation. The analysis also shows that there exists a greater understanding of the challenges to transposing novel ecosystems in policy, as opposed to the possible opportunities under current policy timeframes. While a resilience framework has been put forward to offer an outline for policy makers, mechanisms for incorporating novel ecosystem theory into policy and decision making is some distance off

Anthropocene · Biology · Ecosystem · Environmental planning · Environmental resource management · Geography · Mainstream · Novel ecosystem · Novelty · Political science · Psychological resilience · Resilience (materials science · Ecosystem dynamics and resilience · Environmental Science · Land Use and Ecosystem Services · Psychology · Sustainability and Climate Change Governance · Ecology