[Aqualist] Ecosystem Thresholds session at the AGU Fall Meeting

[Mills, Keely]

Dear AQUA members (with apologies for cross-posting),

We invite you to submit an abstract to the 'Sedimentary records of threshold change in ecosystems' session at the AGU Fall Meeting this year. This session is co-sponsored by International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme - (IGBP).

Details of the session can be found at https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm15/preliminaryview.cgi/Session8761.html


Fall AGU 14-18th December 2015 in San Francisco.

Abstract submission is now open. The deadline is 5th August 2015.


We look forward to seeing you there

Keely Mills, Peter Gell and Jasmine Saros



Session ID#: 8761 Sedimentary records of threshold change in ecosystems

Ecosystems are known to resist major disturbance events but also respond abruptly to small perturbations. These nonlinear changes may be reflecting the nature of the sensitivity of the system or representing the breaking down of stabilising forces and the establishment of a new system of feedbacks that entrench the system in a new stable state. Theoretically, the regime persists even after the removal of the pressure owing to the establishment of new stabilising forces. Validation of the theory of such critical transitions requires real-time examples, or long records of ecological change that are, however, rarely available. Sedimentary records have revealed abrupt shifts in response to a range of drivers over past times and provide an opportunity for model testing. However, challenges remain in attributing changes to pressure-response interactions, or regime shifts invoking changes in feedback mechanisms. Understanding the nature of abrupt ecological changes is critical for future ecosystem management.

Primary Convener:  Keely Mills, British Geological Survey Keyworth, UK
Conveners:  Peter Gell, Federation University Australia, Australia and Jasmine Saros, University of Maine, United States




Dr Keely Mills
British Geological Survey
Keyworth
Nottingham
NG12 5GG

Ph: +44 (0) 115 936 3132


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