Rapid Recovery of Damaged Ecosystems

TLDR

Recent global environmental reports show that human activity is severely damaging ecosystems, and projections suggest that recovery could take centuries, raising concerns about an irreparable legacy for future generations. To evaluate this claim, the authors synthesized recovery time data from 240 independent studies across the literature. Their analysis reveals that, with human intervention, most ecosystems can rebound within decades to half a century, offering optimism for a sustainable future.

Abstract

Background Recent reports on the state of the global environment provide evidence that humankind is inflicting great damage to the very ecosystems that support human livelihoods. The reports further predict that ecosystems will take centuries to recover from damages if they recover at all. Accordingly, there is despair that we are passing on a legacy of irreparable damage to future generations which is entirely inconsistent with principles of sustainability. Methodology/Principal Findings We tested the prediction of irreparable harm using a synthesis of recovery times compiled from 240 independent studies reported in the scientific literature. We provide startling evidence that most ecosystems globally can, given human will, recover from very major perturbations on timescales of decades to half-centuries. Significance/Conclusions Accordingly, we find much hope that humankind can transition to more sustainable use of ecosystems.