Responding to Ecosystem Transformation: Resist, Accept, or Direct?

Ecosystem transformation can be defined as the emergence of a self-organizing, self-sustaining, ecological or social-ecological system that deviates from prior ecosystem structure and function. These transformations are occurring across the globe; consequently, a static view of ecosystem processes is likely no longer sufficient for managing fish, wildlife, and other species. We present a framework that encompasses three strategies for fish and wildlife managers dealing with ecosystems vulnerable to transformation. Specifically, managers canresistchange and strive to maintain existing ecosystem composition, structure, and function;accepttransformation when it is not feasible to resist change or when changes are deemed socially acceptable; ordirectchange to a future ecosystem configuration that would yield desirable outcomes. Choice of a particular option likely hinges on anticipating future change, while also acknowledging that temporal and spatial scales, recent history and current state of the system, and magnitude of change can factor into the decision. This suite of management strategies can be implemented using a structured approach of learning and adapting as ecosystems change.

Automated summary

Ecosystem transformation involves the emergence of a self-organizing, self-sustaining system that deviates from prior structure and function. Fish and wildlife managers can choose to resist change, accept transformation, or direct change to a future ecosystem configuration. This suite of management strategies can be implemented using a structured approach of learning and adapting as ecosystems change.