Shifting Baselines to Thresholds: Reframing Exploitation in the Marine Environment

Lane M. Atmore, Magie Aiken, Fabricio Furni

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

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 languageEnglish
Article number742188
JournalFrontiers in Marine Science
Volume8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Nov 2021
Externally publishedYes

Funding

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement no. 813383. The European Research Agency is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

FundersFunder number
European Research Agency
Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions813383

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