“In what may be the most comprehensive evaluation of the environment in Australia, we show major and iconic ecosystems are collapsing across the continent. These systems sustain life and their demise shows we’re exceeding planetary boundaries.” (1/x) theconversation.com/amp/existentia…
“We found 19 Australian ecosystems met our criteria to be classified as ‘collapsing.’ This includes the arid interior, savannas and mangroves, the Great Barrier Reef, Shark Bay, kelp and alpine ash forests, tundra on Macquarie Island, and moss beds in Antarctica.”
“We define collapse as the state where ecosystems have changed in a substantial, negative way from their original state – such as species or habitat loss, or reduced vegetation or coral cover – and are unlikely to recover.”
“The effects of floods, fires, heatwaves and storms do not stop at farm gates; they’re felt equally in agricultural areas and natural ecosystems. We shouldn’t forget how towns ran out of drinking water during the recent drought.”
“Drinking water is also at risk when ecosystems collapse in our water catchments. In Victoria, the degradation of giant Mountain Ash forests greatly reduces the amount of water flowing through the Thompson catchment, threatening nearly five million people’s drinking water.”
“This is a dire wake-up call — not just a warning. Put bluntly, current changes across the continent, and their potential outcomes, pose an existential threat to our survival, and other life we share environments with.” (X/x)
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