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Please do not disturb ecosystems further

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Clearing up after natural disturbances may not always be beneficial for the environment. We argue that a radical change is needed in the way ecosystems are managed; one that acknowledges the important role of disturbance dynamics.

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Figure 1: Examples of ecosystems subject to natural disturbances and then subject to negative ecological impacts associated with subsequent human-derived disturbances.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. David Lindenmayer is in the Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia.,

    David Lindenmayer

  2. Simon Thorn is in the Field Station Fabrikschleichach, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Glashüttenstraße 5, 96181 Rauhenebrach, Germany.,

    Simon Thorn

  3. Sam Banks is in the Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia.,

    Sam Banks

Authors
  1. David Lindenmayer
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  2. Simon Thorn
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  3. Sam Banks
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Correspondence to David Lindenmayer, Simon Thorn or Sam Banks.

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Lindenmayer, D., Thorn, S. & Banks, S. Please do not disturb ecosystems further. Nat Ecol Evol 1, 0031 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-016-0031

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