Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.tree.2025.07.003
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Assessing biodiversity trends in a quasi-permanent non-equilibrium state
Author Lalechère, E.; Lenoir, J.; Marrec, R.; Essl, F.; Kühn, I. ORCID logo ; Ergon, T.
Source Titel Trends in Ecology & Evolution
Year 2025
Department BZF; iDiv
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Keywords non-equilibrium biodiversity theory; disequilibrium dynamics; time-lagged responses; immigration credit; colonization credit; extinction debt; climatic debt; biodiversity redistribution
Abstract The ‘equilibrium assumption’ underlying biodiversity trends assessments in response to environmental changes is rarely challenged, the traditional assumption being that biodiversity is in an equilibrium state with its contemporary drivers. Existing non-equilibrium biodiversity frameworks still rely on the assumption that biodiversity is, at a given moment in time, in an equilibrium state with its contemporary drivers. In this opinion article we consider multiple trajectories of changes due to long-term disturbances that push biodiversity into a quasi-permanent non-equilibrium state. We propose a conceptual framework based on the use of temporal influence functions that can be integrated into a wide range of ecological models. The complete paradigm shift we provide can hindcast past, and project future, non-equilibrium biodiversity trends.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=31304
Lalechère, E., Lenoir, J., Marrec, R., Essl, F., Kühn, I., Ergon, T. (2025):
Assessing biodiversity trends in a quasi-permanent non-equilibrium state
Trends Ecol. Evol. 10.1016/j.tree.2025.07.003