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. 2008 Dec 23;6(12):2621-6.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.0060325.

Towards an integrated framework for assessing the vulnerability of species to climate change

Stephen E Williams  1 , Luke P Shoo, Joanne L Isaac, Ary A Hoffmann, Gary Langham
Affiliations

Towards an integrated framework for assessing the vulnerability of species to climate change

Stephen E Williams et al. PLoS Biol. .

Abstract

Climate change is a major threat to global biodiversity. A novel integrated framework to assess vulnerability and prioritize research and management action aims to improve our ability to respond to this emerging crisis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. A General Framework To Assess the Vulnerability of Species to Global Climate Change
Vulnerability is a function of the species' sensitivity and their exposure to climatic change, mediated by the adaptive potential of the species (both ecological and evolutionary), the resilience of the species, and the capacity for adaptive management to either reduce vulnerability, treat the impacts, mitigate regional exposure, or maximise the system resilience via resource management to increase buffering or reduce other threats. Any realised impacts are likely to cause feedback effects due to changes in biotic/abiotic interaction, loss of genetic diversity, and changes in or loss of ecosystem processes. These feedback effects could result in cascading impacts throughout the ecosystem. All elements of this framework need to be considered in a comprehensive evaluation of vulnerability.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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