Today on the podcast we talk about alternative stable states and regime shifts! Both social and ecological systems exist in a particular “state” with identifiable patterns, processes and relationships. However, it is possible for a system to reorganize into a very different set of patterns, processes and relationships. These other potential setups for a system are the “alternative states” to the system. We tackle the theory, review key concepts involved in transitions to alternative stable states, and talk about examples discussed in the scientific literature.
Funding support from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Center for Great Plains Studies, https://www.unl.edu/plains/welcome
Contact Us: whrapodcast@gmail.com
Council For Resilience Education Website: cre.unl.edu
Online Module: https://passel2.unl.edu/view/lesson/d6c3e24cbc7e
References:
Hilt, S., Brothers, S., Jeppesen, E., Veraart, A.J., Kosten, S. Translating regime shifts in shallow lakes into changes in ecosystem functions and services. BioScience 67(10), 928-936.
Johnson, C. 2020, Feb. 16. McMaster wants to add a resilience chief to SC government. What would one do? The Post and Courier. https://www.postandcourier.com/news/mcmaster-wants-to-add-a-resilience-chief-to-sc-government-what-would-one-do/article_8e74e05c-4cff-11ea-9dc1-b7c5f6f13e31.html
Katz, B. 2020, Feb. 13. Pablo Escobar’s pooping hippos are polluting Colombia’s lakes. Smithsonian Magazine SmartNews. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/pablo-escobars-hippos-may-pose-poopy-problem-colombia-180974202/
May, R.M. 1977. Thresholds and breakpoints in ecosystems with a multiplicity of stable states. Nature 269, 471-477.
Rowe, P. 2020, Feb. 9. Chasing Colombia’s ‘cocaine hippos’. The Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2020-02-09/uc-san-diego-biologist-colombia-cocaine-hippos-pablo-escobar
Music licensed from http://www.purple-planet.com
