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Response of Earth's Ecosystem to Global ChangeThe Earth is in the midst of rapid and unprecedented change, much of it caused by the enormous reproductive and resource acquisition success of the human population. For the first time in Earth's history, the actions of one species-humans-are altering the atmospheric, climatic, biospheric, and edaphic processes on a scale that rivals natural processes. How will ecosystems, involving those manipulated and managed by humans largely for human use, respond to these changes? Clearly ecosystems have been adjusting to change throughout Earth's history and evolving in ways to adapt and to maintain self-organizing behavior. And in this process, the metabolic activity of the biosphere has altered the environmental conditions it experiences. I am going to confine this presentation to a few thoughts on the present state of terrestrial ecosystems and the urgency that changes in it is bringing to all of us.
Document ID
19970025385
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Peterson, David L.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Date Acquired
August 17, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1996
Publication Information
Publication: Astrobiology Workshop: Leadership in Astrobiology
Subject Category
Environment Pollution
Accession Number
97N24939
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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