Metric diversity, biodiversity loss and resilience
- Variable relationship:
Diversity increases the chances that components of a SES with similar functions have different responses to disturbance so that underlying function is preserved (Carpenter et al. 2012). Holling and Meffe (1996) theorise that management based on narrow objectives (Metric Diversity) that aim to increase production or efficiency rather than diversity of ecosystems, is the underlying driver of loss of functional response diversity (Biodiversity Trend) which then leads to a loss of resilience (Ecological Resilience) and system collapse to an alternative state (Basin Switch).
- Project
- SESMAD
- Sector(s)
- Scientific Field
- Component Type(s)
- Status
- Public
Variables
| Variable | Role | Role Explanation | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metric diversity | Underlying independent variable | Governing systems using low metric diversity may fail to ensure that key ecosystem functions are maintained, and that different aspects of commons condition trend are captured and managed appropriately. | Low |
| Biodiversity trend | Proximate independent variable | Narrowly defined management targets can fail to maintain biodiversity (as a proxy for functional response diversity). | Worsened |
| Ecological resilience | Intermediate outcome | A decline in functional response diversity (biodiversity) can erode the resilience of the current ecosystem state making it vulnerable to a variety of external shocks | Poorly resilient |
| Basin switch | Final outcome | As a result of low ecological resilience, the commons fails to maintain itself in a particular (presumably desirable) stable state, and instead undergoes a basin switch to an alternate stable state. | Yes undesirable |
Related Theories
| Theory | Relationship | Characterizing Variables |
|---|---|---|
| Conditions for general resilience | nested |