Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
does not mean that we can distinguish when governing activities between
species belonging to them and others that, to our limited knowledge, do not.
A general resilience approach is required at all times in respect of actions
that may affect biodiversity because of human ignorance of the behaviour of
highly complex systems and of the dynamism and unpredictability of
ecosystems and Earth System processes that a general resilience approach
is meant to guard against. In this regard, we do not know de
nitively which
species are, or may become, important for ecosystem functionality.
92
In
addition, no species can be regarded as dispensable because all of them
contribute in ways that we may not be able to divine to ecosystem function-
ing through their interactions with each other and the abiotic environments
they inhabit.
93
The complexity of relationships between systemic compo-
nents makes it impossible to identify what effect the removal of an appa-
rently unimportant species may have on the behaviour of the system as a
whole.
94
The only prudent approach when facing such an array of
unknowns and unknowables in circumstances where human action has
already weakened biodiversity signi
cantly is to engender ecological con-
ditions that will henceforth support as diverse a range of species as possible.
2.3.2.2 Tightness of feedbacks
Walker and Salt use the term
to refer to the speed
and clarity with which change in one part of a social-ecological system
becomes apparent in other parts, and the strength with which the parts
that become aware of this respond to evidence of change.
95
Clear feed-
backs enable a prompt and appropriate reaction in systems that have
the
'
tightness of feedbacks
'
exibility to alter their practices. Conversely, it may not be apparent
where feedbacks are loose that an underlying activity threatens harm or
that alteration of other parts of the system concerned is necessary.
Walker and Salt refer to the growing complexity of social-ecological
interactions and globalisation as factors that lessen the ability of socio-
economic systems to appreciate and address the consequences of their
behaviours.
96
However, the fundamental problem when considering
92
Myers,
'
Biodiversity
'
,76
-
7.
93
Chapin III et al.,
'
Consequences of Changing Biodiversity
'
, 237
-
8; Chapin III et al.,
'
Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology
'
,p.334.
94
Folke et al.,
'
Biological Diversity
'
, 1019; Chapin III et al.,
'
Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology
'
,
p. 334.
95
Walker and Salt,
'
Resilience Thinking
'
,pp.121
-
2; Walker and Salt,
'
Resilience Practice
'
,
p. 95.
96
Ibid
.
