Without better local management, the world’s most iconic ecosystems are at risk of collapse under climate change, say researchers in a study published in the journal Science. 

The international team of researchers say protecting places of global environmental importance, such as the Great Barrier Reef and the Amazon rainforest, from climate change requires reducing the other pressures they face, for example overfishing, fertiliser pollution or land clearing. 

The researchers warn that localised issues, such as declining water quality from nutrient pollution or deforestation, can exacerbate the effects of climatic extremes, such as heat waves and droughts. This reduces the ability of ecosystems to cope with the impacts of climate change. 

MAKE YOUR BUSINESS MOVE - ADVERTISE WITH THE NEWSPORT

“Poor local management makes an ecosystem less tolerant to climate change and erodes its capacity to keep functioning effectively,” says study lead author Professor Marten Scheffer from Wageningen University in the Netherlands.

The authors examined three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Spain’s Doñana wetlands, the Amazon rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. 

While many ecosystems are important to their local people, these ecosystems have a global importance, hence their World Heritage designation. For instance, the Amazon rainforest is a globally important climate regulator. 

The Great Barrier Reef is threatened by ocean acidification and coral bleaching, both induced by carbon dioxide emissions. Local threats such as overfishing, nutrient runoff and unprecedented amounts of dredging will reduce the reef’s resilience to acidification and bleaching.

“It’s an unfolding disaster. The reef needs less pollution from agricultural runoff and port dredging, less carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels, and less fishing pressure,” says co-author Professor Terry Hughes, Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University.

“But ironically, Australia is still planning to develop new coal mines and expand coal ports, despite global efforts to transition quickly towards renewable energy.” 

“As a wealthy country, Australia has the capability and responsibility to improve its management of the reef,” adds Professor Hughes.

Professor Scheffer says the three World Heritage sites play a critical role in maintaining global biodiversity.

“If these systems collapse, it could mean the irreversible extinction of species.”