Planetary Boundaries for Biodiversity: Implausible Science, Pernicious Policies

José M Montoya; Ian Donohue; Stuart L Pimm

doi:10.1016/j.tree.2017.10.004

Planetary Boundaries for Biodiversity: Implausible Science, Pernicious Policies

Trends Ecol Evol. 2018 Feb;33(2):71-73. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2017.10.004. Epub 2017 Nov 7.

Authors

José M Montoya¹, Ian Donohue², Stuart L Pimm³

Affiliations

¹ Theoretical and Experimental Ecological Station, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) University Paul Sabatier (UPS), Moulis, France. Electronic address: josemaria.MONTOYATERAN@sete.cnrs.fr.
² School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
³ Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, USA.

PMID: 29126565
DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2017.10.004

Abstract

The notion of a 'safe operating space for biodiversity' is vague and encourages harmful policies. Attempts to fix it strip it of all meaningful content. Ecology is rapidly gaining insights into the connections between biodiversity and ecosystem stability. We have no option but to understand ecological complexity and act accordingly.

Keywords: biodiversity; ecological stability; extinction rates; planetary boundaries; tipping points.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Biodiversity*
Conservation of Natural Resources*
Ecology / methods*
Ecosystem