When
Speakers:
Abigail J. Lynch, Research Fish Biologist, National CASC
Laura Thompson, Research Ecologist, National CASC
Summary: Climate change and human activities are having profound effects on ecosystems. In some cases, this leads to irreversible shifts in plant and animal communities. These ecosystem transformations are occurring across the globe, from the mass bleaching of coral reefs to disappearing glaciers. A static view of ecosystem structure and function may be no longer sufficient for managing fish and wildlife. We present the Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework that encompasses multiple options for fish and wildlife managers dealing with changes to ecosystems. Traditionally, managers seek to resist change to maintain the existing ecosystem. Yet unprecedented challenges may force managers to begin accepting ongoing, desirable, or irreversible changes or directing changes to a future baseline different from the past.