| Abstract: | Ecohydrological feedbacks are likely to be critical for understanding the mechanisms by which changes in exogenous forces result in ecosystem state change. We propose that in drylands, the dynamics of ecosystem state change are determined by changes in the type (stabilizing vs amplifying) and strength of ecohydrological feedbacks following a change in exogenous forces. Using a selection of five case studies from drylands, we explore the characteristics of ecohydrological feedbacks and resulting dynamics of ecosystem state change. We surmise that stabilizing feedbacks are critical for the provision of plant-essential resources in drylands. Exogenous forces that break these stabilizing feedbacks can alter the state of the system, although such changes are potentially reversible if strong amplifying ecohydrological feedbacks do not develop. The case studies indicate that if amplifying ecohydrological feedbacks do develop, they are typically associated with abiotic processes such as runoff, erosion (by wind and water), and fire. These amplifying ecohydrological feedbacks progressively modify the system in ways that are long-lasting and possibly irreversible on human timescales. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70042329 |
| Citation Author: | Turnbull, L.; Wilcox, B. P.; Belnap, J.; Ravi, S.; D'Odorico, P. D.; Childers, D.; Gwenzi, W.; Okin, G.; Wainwright, J.; Caylor, K. K.; Sankey, T. |
| Citation Contributing Office: | Southwest Biological Science Center |
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| Citation End Page: | 183 |
| Citation Issue: | 2 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Ecohydrology |
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| Citation Month: | 3 |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 10 |
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| Citation Phsyical Description: | 10 p. |
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| Citation Publisher: | Wiley |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Understanding the role of ecohydrological feedbacks in ecosystem state change in drylands; 2012; Article; Journal; Ecohydrology; Turnbull, L.; Wilcox, B. P.; Belnap, J.; Ravi, S.; D‘Odorico, P. D.; Childers, D.; Gwenzi, W.; Okin, G.; Wainwright, J.; Caylor, K. K.; Sankey, T. |
| Citation Start Page: | 174 |
| Citation Volume: | 5 |
| Citation Year: | 2012 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Understanding the role of ecohydrological feedbacks in ecosystem state change in drylands; 2012; Article; Journal; Ecohydrology; Turnbull, L.; Wilcox, B. P.; Belnap, J.; Ravi, S.; D‘Odorico, P. D.; Childers, D.; Gwenzi, W.; Okin, G.; Wainwright, J.; Caylor, K. K.; Sankey, T. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| URL (DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER): | http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/eco.265 |
| Date Other: | Mon, 7 Jan 2013 00:00 -0600 |
| Publisher: | Wiley |
