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Please do not disturb ecosystems further

Nature Ecology & Evolution volume 1, Article number: 0031 (2017) Cite this article

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Clearing up after natural disturbances may not always be beneficial for the environment. We argue that a radical change is needed in the way ecosystems are managed; one that acknowledges the important role of disturbance dynamics.

Recent controversy over logging of Białowieża Forest in Poland has centred largely on cutting some of the most ecologically significant pristine forests remaining in Europe, which support populations of iconic species of conservation concern1. However, from an ecological perspective, we suggest this controversy also underscores ongoing global policy problems with how naturally disturbed (in that case insect-affected) ecosystems are managed. Logging of Białowieża Forest was promoted as being essential to limit the impacts of pest insect outbreaks, but it is emblematic of a broader innate human inclination to clean-up and fix the damage caused by natural disturbances. Yet such management actions may have significant negative effects, such as exacerbating existing environmental problems, creating new problems, and impairing post-disturbance recovery.

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Figure 1: Examples of ecosystems subject to natural disturbances and then subject to negative ecological impacts associated with subsequent human-derived disturbances.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. David Lindenmayer is in the Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia.,

    David Lindenmayer

  2. Simon Thorn is in the Field Station Fabrikschleichach, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Glashüttenstraße 5, 96181 Rauhenebrach, Germany.,

    Simon Thorn

  3. Sam Banks is in the Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia.,

    Sam Banks

Authors
  1. David Lindenmayer
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  2. Simon Thorn
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Correspondence to David Lindenmayer, Simon Thorn or Sam Banks.

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Lindenmayer, D., Thorn, S. & Banks, S. Please do not disturb ecosystems further. Nat Ecol Evol 1, 0031 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-016-0031

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