Declining resilience of ecosystem functions under biodiversity loss

TLDR

Species community composition is rapidly changing due to habitat loss and climate change, threatening the resilience of ecosystem functions that humans rely on. The study aims to assess how resilience of ecosystem functions changes by analyzing species frequency trends in Great Britain. It does so by examining trends in the frequency of species that provide key functions such as decomposition, carbon sequestration, pollination, pest control, and cultural values. Over four decades, 4,424 species showed significant declines in pollination, pest control, and cultural values, while decomposition and carbon sequestration species remained stable because new arrivals offset declines, suggesting conservation should focus on functions with substantial erosion.

Abstract

Abstract The composition of species communities is changing rapidly through drivers such as habitat loss and climate change, with potentially serious consequences for the resilience of ecosystem functions on which humans depend. To assess such changes in resilience, we analyse trends in the frequency of species in Great Britain that provide key ecosystem functions—specifically decomposition, carbon sequestration, pollination, pest control and cultural values. For 4,424 species over four decades, there have been significant net declines among animal species that provide pollination, pest control and cultural values. Groups providing decomposition and carbon sequestration remain relatively stable, as fewer species are in decline and these are offset by large numbers of new arrivals into Great Britain. While there is general concern about degradation of a wide range of ecosystem functions, our results suggest actions should focus on particular functions for which there is evidence of substantial erosion of their resilience.