Mild cycles open closed communities to ecological restoration

• DOI: 10.1111/rec.13136
• Publication Date: 2020-02-13T07:10:12Z
• Authors: Ann‐Kathrin Tielke; Japke Karreman; Matthijs Vos
• Keywords: Alternative stable state; Restoration Ecology; Closure (psychology); Window of opportunity

Species loss is a global issue. With up to million species at risk and insufficient protected area maintain the world's biodiversity, humanity will increasingly need rely on re‐introductions locally restore diversity function. However, such restoration attempts are bound fail when ecological communities get locked in closed state that resistant recovery. It presently unknown how repair these systems. We use mathematical models identify ways out of this problem. first show may enter state, then explain open them again for their original diversity. find often still possible shortly after initial loss, as (1) secondary extinctions produce closure have not happened yet (2) mild population fluctuations allow successful during transient postdisturbance phase. typically short window opportunity restoration, system enters new equilibrium, which be state. Our analysis shows take state: Appropriate management carrying capacities produces regime opens re‐introductions. These windows can perpetually recurring or permanently open. Such opportunities absent under regimes wild cycles perfect stability. conclude become