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Stress, disturbance and change in rangeland ecosystems

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Rangeland Desertification

Part of the book series: Advances in Vegetation Science ((AIVS,volume 19))

Abstract

Ecological systems and the organisms which comprise them have evolved with and are a product of various stresses, perturbations, and disturbance regimes. However, in human-influenced systems, new disturbances and stresses may be introduced and the frequency, intensity and spatial extent of natural disturbances altered. Natural and anthropogenic disturbances invariably co-occur, so it becomes difficult to ascertain which may be the proximate cause of ecosystem change. It is likely that their effects are compounded by synergistic interactions. In some cases, anthropogenic disturbance may alter the susceptibility of organisms, populations and communities to natural disturbances. In other cases, anthropogenic activities may initiate positive feedbacks that produce rapid, unexpected changes in ecosystem structure and function. These changes may be stabilized by new ecosystem processes, making them irreversible over time frames relevant to management.

An understanding of stress and disturbance will help resource managers to (1) mitigate anthropogenic disturbances which might threaten sustainability and lead to undesirable and potentially irrevocable changes in ecosystem processes and (2) increase chances for success in rehabilitating or restoring degraded ecosystems. Here, we review the role of stress and disturbance in regulating the structure and function of rangeland ecosystems, and present conceptual models of ecosystem change which result from alterations of disturbance regimes. We then discuss rates and dynamics of change and present examples which illustrate how anthropogenic alteration of natural disturbance regimes can alter ecosystem stability and produce multiple stable states. We conclude with a brief discussion of land degradation from ecological vs. socioeconomic perspectives.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rangeland Ecology & Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-2126, USA

    Steve Archer & Chris Stokes

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  1. Steve Archer
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Olafur Arnalds Steve Archer

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Archer, S., Stokes, C. (2000). Stress, disturbance and change in rangeland ecosystems. In: Arnalds, O., Archer, S. (eds) Rangeland Desertification. Advances in Vegetation Science, vol 19. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9602-2_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9602-2_3

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  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-5359-6

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