The future of vascular plant diversity under four global scenarios

TitleThe future of vascular plant diversity under four global scenarios
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2006
AuthorsVan Vuuren DP, Sala O.E, Pereira HM
JournalEcology and Society
Volume11
Pagination19 pages
Date Published2006
Accession NumberJRN00462
Call Number00908
Keywordsarticle, biodiversity scenarios, journal, model,, model, biodiversity scenarios, model, MA, model, Millenium Ecosystem Assessment
Abstract

Biodiversity is of crucial importance for ecosystem functioning and human well-being. Using quantitative projections of changes in land use and climate from the four Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) scenarios, we project that reduction of habitat by year 2050 will result in a loss of global vascular plant diversity ranging from 7–24% relative to 1995, after populations have reached equilibrium with the reduced habitat. This range includes both the impact of different scenarios and uncertainty in the SAR relationship. Biomes projected to lose the most species are warm mixed forest, savannahs, shrub, tropical forest, and tropical woodlands. In the 2000–2050 period, land-use change contributes more on a global scale to species diversity loss than does climate change, 7–13% vs. 2–4% loss at equilibrium for different scenarios, respectively. However, after 2050, climate change will become increasingly important.

URLfiles/bibliography/JRN00462.pdf
DOI10.5751/ES-01818-110225
Reprint EditionIn File (08/15/2007)