Eric Post
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691148472
- eISBN:
- 9781400846139
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691148472.003.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology
This introductory chapter summarizes the most prominent abiotic components of recent climate change to establish the environmental context from which the discussion in the rest of the book proceeds. ...
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This introductory chapter summarizes the most prominent abiotic components of recent climate change to establish the environmental context from which the discussion in the rest of the book proceeds. From an ecological perspective, climate change is most meaningfully considered as the suite of abiotic changes occurring across Earth coincident with the onset of the Industrial Revolution and progressing over the past 150 years. These abiotic changes include rising temperatures, temperature variability, changes in precipitation and snow cover, and diminishing sea and land ice. All these changes can be linked to ecological dynamics, though it is probably fair to state that most research to date on the ecological consequences of climate change has focused on temperature changes.Less
This introductory chapter summarizes the most prominent abiotic components of recent climate change to establish the environmental context from which the discussion in the rest of the book proceeds. From an ecological perspective, climate change is most meaningfully considered as the suite of abiotic changes occurring across Earth coincident with the onset of the Industrial Revolution and progressing over the past 150 years. These abiotic changes include rising temperatures, temperature variability, changes in precipitation and snow cover, and diminishing sea and land ice. All these changes can be linked to ecological dynamics, though it is probably fair to state that most research to date on the ecological consequences of climate change has focused on temperature changes.
Eric Post
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691148472
- eISBN:
- 9781400846139
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691148472.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology
Rising temperatures are affecting organisms in all of Earth's biomes, but the complexity of ecological responses to climate change has hampered the development of a conceptually unified treatment of ...
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Rising temperatures are affecting organisms in all of Earth's biomes, but the complexity of ecological responses to climate change has hampered the development of a conceptually unified treatment of them. In a remarkably comprehensive synthesis, this book presents past, ongoing, and future ecological responses to climate change in the context of two simplifying hypotheses, facilitation and interference, arguing that biotic interactions may be the primary driver of ecological responses to climate change across all levels of biological organization. The author's synthesis and analyses of ecological consequences of climate change extend from the Late Pleistocene to the present, and through the next century of projected warming. The book's investigation is grounded in classic themes of enduring interest in ecology, but developed around novel conceptual and mathematical models of observed and predicted dynamics. Using stability theory as a recurring theme, the book argues that the magnitude of climatic variability may be just as important as the magnitude and direction of change in determining whether populations, communities, and species persist. It urges a more refined consideration of species interactions, emphasizing important distinctions between lateral and vertical interactions and their disparate roles in shaping responses of populations, communities, and ecosystems to climate change.Less
Rising temperatures are affecting organisms in all of Earth's biomes, but the complexity of ecological responses to climate change has hampered the development of a conceptually unified treatment of them. In a remarkably comprehensive synthesis, this book presents past, ongoing, and future ecological responses to climate change in the context of two simplifying hypotheses, facilitation and interference, arguing that biotic interactions may be the primary driver of ecological responses to climate change across all levels of biological organization. The author's synthesis and analyses of ecological consequences of climate change extend from the Late Pleistocene to the present, and through the next century of projected warming. The book's investigation is grounded in classic themes of enduring interest in ecology, but developed around novel conceptual and mathematical models of observed and predicted dynamics. Using stability theory as a recurring theme, the book argues that the magnitude of climatic variability may be just as important as the magnitude and direction of change in determining whether populations, communities, and species persist. It urges a more refined consideration of species interactions, emphasizing important distinctions between lateral and vertical interactions and their disparate roles in shaping responses of populations, communities, and ecosystems to climate change.
Charles R. C. Sheppard, Simon K. Davy, Graham M. Pilling, and Nicholas A. J. Graham
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- January 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780198787341
- eISBN:
- 9780191829420
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198787341.003.0008
- Subject:
- Biology, Aquatic Biology, Ecology
Today coral reefs, perhaps more than other marine systems, are suffering from numerous pressures. As a result, many have collapsed as functioning ecosystems. Nutrient pollution, sewage pollution, ...
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Today coral reefs, perhaps more than other marine systems, are suffering from numerous pressures. As a result, many have collapsed as functioning ecosystems. Nutrient pollution, sewage pollution, industrial pollution, landfill, coral diseases and diseases of other important groups of organisms, as well as over-extraction of fish, invertebrates and even the limestone rock itself, have all contributed to the demise of over one-third of the world’s reefs. More recently, climate change, notably causing a sea temperature rise, which in turn has led to coral bleaching and the death of component corals, has added to the stress imposed on this ecosystem. In the future, ocean acidification, sea level rise and an increase in the frequency and severity of storms will add further stress. Many of these factors interact, making the precise responses of reefs to these changes very complex.Less
Today coral reefs, perhaps more than other marine systems, are suffering from numerous pressures. As a result, many have collapsed as functioning ecosystems. Nutrient pollution, sewage pollution, industrial pollution, landfill, coral diseases and diseases of other important groups of organisms, as well as over-extraction of fish, invertebrates and even the limestone rock itself, have all contributed to the demise of over one-third of the world’s reefs. More recently, climate change, notably causing a sea temperature rise, which in turn has led to coral bleaching and the death of component corals, has added to the stress imposed on this ecosystem. In the future, ocean acidification, sea level rise and an increase in the frequency and severity of storms will add further stress. Many of these factors interact, making the precise responses of reefs to these changes very complex.
Philippe Ambrosi
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- August 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780262073028
- eISBN:
- 9780262274500
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262073028.003.0015
- Subject:
- Environmental Science, Climate
This chapter evaluates the effect of a constraint on the rate of temperature change for the determination of policies. It proposes a climate policy assessment within a cost-efficiency framework using ...
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This chapter evaluates the effect of a constraint on the rate of temperature change for the determination of policies. It proposes a climate policy assessment within a cost-efficiency framework using constraints referring to global mean temperature rise. The chapter also explores integrated assessment models in the context of climate stabilization and considers optimal climate policy under uncertainty on climate sensitivity.Less
This chapter evaluates the effect of a constraint on the rate of temperature change for the determination of policies. It proposes a climate policy assessment within a cost-efficiency framework using constraints referring to global mean temperature rise. The chapter also explores integrated assessment models in the context of climate stabilization and considers optimal climate policy under uncertainty on climate sensitivity.
Douglas Arent, Channing Arndt, Mackay Miller, Finn Tarp, and Owen Zinaman (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- May 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780198802242
- eISBN:
- 9780191840586
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198802242.003.0001
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
Climate change is frequently referred to as one of the defining challenges of the twenty-first century. The authors of this chapter concur. In broad terms, the climate challenge is relatively ...
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Climate change is frequently referred to as one of the defining challenges of the twenty-first century. The authors of this chapter concur. In broad terms, the climate challenge is relatively straightforward. Global average temperatures are rising as a consequence of anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases. In the absence of deliberate and global action to substantially reduce and then eliminate (or even turn net negative) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, global temperature rise within this century is very likely to surpass two degrees Celsius (IPCC 2014), which is the (somewhat arbitrary) threshold set by the international community as a tolerable level. Continuation of current levels of emissions or continued growth in emissions throughout the twenty-first century could result in warming far above the two- degree threshold with very bad implications for the planet, for human societies, particularly poor people.Less
Climate change is frequently referred to as one of the defining challenges of the twenty-first century. The authors of this chapter concur. In broad terms, the climate challenge is relatively straightforward. Global average temperatures are rising as a consequence of anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases. In the absence of deliberate and global action to substantially reduce and then eliminate (or even turn net negative) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, global temperature rise within this century is very likely to surpass two degrees Celsius (IPCC 2014), which is the (somewhat arbitrary) threshold set by the international community as a tolerable level. Continuation of current levels of emissions or continued growth in emissions throughout the twenty-first century could result in warming far above the two- degree threshold with very bad implications for the planet, for human societies, particularly poor people.
