Ecology and the ratchet of events: climate variability, niche dimensions, and species distributions
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (html)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Climate change in the coming centuries will be characterized by interannual, decadal, and multidecadal fluctuations superimposed on anthropogenic trends. Predicting ecological and biogeographic responses to these changes constitutes an immense challenge for ecologists. Perspectives from climatic and ecological history indicate that responses will be laden with contingencies, resulting from episodic climatic events interacting with demographic and colonization events. This effect is compounded by the dependency of environmental sensitivity upon life-stage for many species. Climate variables often used in empirical niche models may become decoupled from the proximal variables that directly influence individuals and populations. Greater predictive capacity, and more-fundamental ecological and biogeographic understanding, will come from integration of correlational niche modeling with mechanistic niche modeling, dynamic ecological modeling, targeted experiments, and systematic observations of past and present patterns and dynamics.
Suggested Citation
Jackson, S.T., Betancourt, J.L., Booth, R.K., and Gray, S., 2009, Ecology and the ratchet of events: climate variability, niche dimensions, and species distributions: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, v. 106, no. S2, p. 19685-19692.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Ecology and the ratchet of events: climate variability, niche dimensions, and species distributions |
| Series title | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |
| Volume | 106 |
| Issue | S2 |
| Year Published | 2009 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | National Academy of Sciences |
| Publisher location | Washington, D.C. |
| Contributing office(s) | Branch of Regional Research-Western Region |
| Description | 8 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |
| First page | 19685 |
| Last page | 19692 |