Research priorities for natural ecosystems in a changing global climate

Stephen E Williams; Alistair J Hobday; Lorena Falconi; Jean-Marc Hero; Neil J Holbrook; Samantha Capon; Nick R Bond; Scott D Ling; Lesley Hughes

doi:10.1111/gcb.14856

Back

Research priorities for natural ecosystems in a changing global climate

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Research priorities for natural ecosystems in a changing global climate

Stephen E Williams, Alistair J Hobday, Lorena Falconi, Jean-Marc Hero, Neil J Holbrook, Samantha Capon, Nick R Bond, Scott D Ling and Lesley Hughes

Global Change Biology, Vol.26(2), pp.410-416

2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14856

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14856View

Published Version

Abstract

adaptation

freshwater

global change biology

marine

natural ecosystems

research prioritization

terrestrial

Climate change poses significant emerging risks to biodiversity, ecosystem function and associated socioecological systems. Adaptation responses must be initiated in parallel with mitigation efforts, but resources are limited. As climate risks are not distributed equally across taxa, ecosystems and processes, strategic prioritization of research that addresses stakeholder-relevant knowledge gaps will accelerate ef -fective uptake into adaptation policy and management action. After a decade of climate change adaptation research within the Australian National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility, we synthesize the National Adaptation Research Plans for marine, terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. We identify the key, globally rele -vant priorities for ongoing research relevant to informing adaptation policy and envi -ronmental management aimed at maximizing the resilience of natural ecosystems to climate change. Informed by both global literature and an extensive stakeholder con -sultation across all ecosystems, sectors and regions in Australia, involving thousands of participants, we suggest 18 priority research topics based on their significance, urgency, technical and economic feasibility, existing knowledge gaps and potential for cobenefits across multiple sectors. These research priorities provide a unified guide for policymakers, funding organizations and researchers to strategically direct resources, maximize stakeholder uptake of resulting knowledge and minimize the im -pacts of climate change on natural ecosystems. Given the pace of climate change, it is imperative that we inform and accelerate adaptation progress in all regions around the world.

Details

Title: Research priorities for natural ecosystems in a changing global climate
Authors: Stephen E Williams (Corresponding Author) - James Cook University
Alistair J Hobday (Author) - 61USC_INST___CSIROOATas
Lorena Falconi (Author) - James Cook University
Jean-Marc Hero (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Neil J Holbrook (Author) - University of Tasmania
Samantha Capon (Author) - Griffith University
Nick R Bond (Author) - La Trobe University
Scott D Ling (Author) - University of Tasmania
Lesley Hughes (Author) - Macquarie University
Publication details: Global Change Biology, Vol.26(2), pp.410-416
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Date published: 2020
DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14856
ISSN: 1354-1013
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450734302621
Output Type: Journal article

Metrics

154 Record Views

27 Times Cited - Web of Science

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Biodiversity Conservation; Ecology; Environmental Sciences

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

Source: InCites