Research Highlights Non-Linear Decline in Ecosystem Properties

Investigations into climate change have led researchers to conclude that the sequential loss of biodiversity leads to a non-linear and accelerating decline in ecosystem properties. This decline, however, is not solely dependent on the loss of individual species, as the relationships between species are complex and influenced by various factors. Researchers at the University of Southampton have used data from marine benthic invertebrate communities to simulate the effects of species co-extinctions, revealing that the inclusion of co-extinctions leads to more pronounced declines in ecosystem functioning.

Key Takeaways:

• The loss of biodiversity leads to a non-linear and accelerating decline in ecosystem properties, as revealed by research at the University of Southampton.
• The form of this relationship is based on theory and empirical observations that do not include species co-extinctions.
• The inclusion of static co-extinctions leads to more pronounced declines in the trajectories of sediment bioturbation, a process of great importance to the functioning of marine ecosystems.
• Compensatory mechanisms and the allowance of the formation of new interactions derived from local and regional species pools moderate the compounding influence of co-extinction but introduce additional variability in community response.
• The research highlights the importance of accounting for local and regional community dynamics, especially in highly connected systems that are prone to extinction cascades.
• The research has been peer-reviewed and published in the journal Global Change Biology.
• The study used data from marine benthic invertebrate communities to parameterise trait-based extinction models.
• The researchers, led by Thomas J. Williams, included Jasmin A. Godbold, Martin Solan, Clement R. Garcia, and Philippe Archambault, in their investigation.

Statistics:

• 31(10): The volume and issue number of the journal Global Change Biology, where the research was published.
• 111 River St, Hoboken 07030-5774, NJ, USA: The address of the publisher, Wiley-Blackwell.

Sources:

• Global Change Biology, 2025;31(10).
• Global Change Biology can be contacted at: Wiley, 111 River St, Hoboken 07030-5774, NJ, USA.
• University of Southampton, National Oceanography Center Southampton, School of Ocean and Earth Science, Southampton, United Kingdom.
• Thomas J. Williams, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Center Southampton, School of Ocean and Earth Science, Southampton, United Kingdom.
• Jasmin A. Godbold, Martin Solan, Clement R. Garcia, and Philippe Archambault.
• Co-extinctions and Co-compensatory Species Responses To Climate Change Moderate Ecosystem Futures.