BACKGROUND Much of ecological theory and the understanding of ecological systems has
been based on the idea that the observed states and dynamics of ecological systems can be …

Global change drivers are known to interact in their effects on biodiversity, but much
research to date ignores this complexity. As a consequence, there are problems in the …

Local extinction of species can occur with a substantial delay following habitat loss or
degradation. Accumulating evidence suggests that such extinction debts pose a significant …

This paper discusses the recent progress in understanding the properties of transient
dynamics in complex ecological systems. Predicting long-term trends as well as sudden …

Global conservation targets to reverse biodiversity declines and halt species extinctions are
not being met despite decades of conservation action. However, a lack of measurable …

1. Population declines among insects are inadequately quantified, yet of vital importance to
national and global biodiversity assessments and have significant implications for …

Regime shifts from one ecological state to another are often portrayed as sudden, dramatic,
and difficult to reverse. Yet many regime shifts unfold slowly and imperceptibly after a tip** …

Climate warming is expected to change the distribution and abundance of many species,,.
Range shifts have been detected in a number of European taxa for which long-term …

The underlying biological processes that govern many ecological systems can create very
long periods of transient dynamics. It is often difficult or impossible to distinguish this …

Rapid economic development in the past century has translated into severe pressures on
species survival as a result of increasing land-use change, environmental pollution, and the …