Shifting Baselines to Thresholds: Reframing Exploitation in the Marine Environment
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Current research on anthropogenic impacts on marine ecosystems often relies on the concept of a “baseline,” which aims to describe ecosystems prior to human contact. Recent research is increasingly showing that humans have been involved in marine ecosystems for much longer than previously understood. We propose a theoretical framework oriented around a system of “thresholds” referring to system-wide changes in human culture, ecosystem dynamics, and molecular evolution. The concept of the threshold allows conceptual space to account for the fluid nature of ecosystems throughout time while providing a critical framework for understanding drivers of ecosystem change. We highlight practical research approaches for exploring thresholds in the past and provide key insights for future adaptation to a changing world. To ensure ecological and societal goals for the future are met, it is critical that research efforts are contextualized into a framework that incorporates human society as integral to ecology and evolution.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 742188 |
Journal | Frontiers in Marine Science |
Volume | 8 |
Number of pages | 15 |
ISSN | 2296-7745 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2021 Atmore, Aiken and Furni.
- ancient biomolecules, conservation, ecology, evolution, sustainability, thresholds
Research areas
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