The Impact of Global Change Factors on Terrestrial Ecosystems

Global change factors have been a growing concern for the health and resilience of terrestrial ecosystems worldwide. A recent international study led by the Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Seville (IRNAS-CSIC) has shed light on the increasing sensitivity of ecosystems to the impacts of global change as the number of environmental stressors rises.

Decreased Resistance to Global Change

The research, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, highlights a significant decrease in the resistance of terrestrial ecosystems to global change with the accumulation of environmental stressors. This decrease in resistance is particularly prominent when the stress is sustained over time, emphasizing the vulnerability of ecosystems to long-term impacts of global change.

Impact on Ecosystem Services

The study conducted by the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning Laboratory (BioFunLab) at IRNAS-CSIC, in collaboration with international institutions like the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research and the University of New South Wales, underscores the critical impact of global change factors on ecosystem services. These services, such as carbon sequestration and soil fertility, play a pivotal role in climate change mitigation and food production.

One of the key findings of the study is the contribution of continued global change effects to the degradation of terrestrial ecosystems and their natural capacity to withstand additional stressors. The analysis of long-term data from a U.S.-based experiment reveals a gradual decline in ecosystem resilience, particularly in maintaining essential services like primary productivity.

The research also highlights the implications of prolonged exposure to multiple drivers of global change, such as increased CO2 levels and warming, on the availability of vital resources like water and nitrogen. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding these limitations to anticipate and address future challenges in ecosystem sustainability.

Call for Action

The lead author of the paper, Guiyao Zhou, stresses the need for reducing the number of global change factors associated with human activity to ensure the long-term sustainability of ecosystems. The findings of the study serve as a wake-up call for proactive measures to mitigate the adverse effects of global change on terrestrial ecosystems and safeguard essential ecosystem services for future generations.

The impact of global change factors on terrestrial ecosystems is profound and far-reaching, highlighting the urgent need for concerted efforts to address environmental degradation and enhance ecosystem resilience. By understanding the complexities of these interactions and taking proactive steps to mitigate their effects, we can work towards a more sustainable future for our planet and all its inhabitants.