Semi-natural habitats in the European boreal region: Caught in the socio-ecological extinction vortex?

Autor: Herzon I; Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 27, 00014, Helsinki, Finland. iryna.herzon@helsinki.fi.; Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science, HELSUS, University of Helsinki, P. O. 20 Box 65, 00014, Helsinki, Finland. iryna.herzon@helsinki.fi., Raatikainen KJ; Department of Biological and Environmental Science, School of Resource Wisdom, University of Jyvaskyla, P.O.Box 35, 40014, Jyvaskyla, Finland., Helm A; Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Lai 40, 51005, Tartu, Estonia., Rūsiņa S; Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences, University of Latvia, Jelgavas iela 1, 1004, Riga, Latvia., Wehn S; Milticonsult Renewable Energy, Sluppenveien 15, 7037, Trondheim, Norway., Eriksson O; Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Ambio [Ambio] 2022 Aug; Vol. 51 (8), pp. 1753-1763. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Feb 12.
DOI: 10.1007/s13280-022-01705-3
Abstrakt: We propose to consider semi-natural habitats-hotspots for biodiversity-being caught in a socio-ecological extinction vortex, similar to the phenomenon described for species threatened with extinction. These habitats are essentially socioecological systems, in which socioeconomic drivers are interlinked with ecological processes. We identify four highly interlinked and mutually reinforcing socio-economic processes, pertaining to the importance of semi-natural habitats for (i) agricultural production, (ii) policy, research and development; (iii) vocational education in the fields of agricultural sciences and (iv) public's experiences with semi-natural habitats. Evidence from six countries in the boreal region demonstrates that recent slowing down or even reversal of two processes are insufficient to stop the extinction vortex phenomenon. We suggest research directions to ascertain the phenomenon, monitor its development and develop proactive actions to weaken the vortex. It is highly plausible that interventions directed at most, if not all, of the key vortex processes are needed to reverse the overall deteriorating trends of a socio-ecological system.
(© 2022. The Author(s).)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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