Novel ecosystems: managing novelty in the marine realm

The concept of novel ecosystems is relatively new and has, over the last 15 years, been emerging in the field of terrestrial conservation and restoration. It is built on the realisation that ecosystems are changing at an... [ view full abstract ]

The concept of novel ecosystems is relatively new and has, over the last 15 years, been emerging in the field of terrestrial conservation and restoration. It is built on the realisation that ecosystems are changing at an increasing rate, through abiotic, and biotic changes (e.g. invasive species) and through (inadvertent) human activities. In terrestrial ecosystems, conservation activities often involve restoring ecosystems back to a specific historical baseline and the concept of novel ecosystems offers a framework to set conservation and restoration priorities in the light of an increasing discrepancy between restoration needs and available means. Of interest to marine ecologists and managers is whether the concept of novel ecosystems can be adapted to help advance marine conservation, restoration and management. Here the original concept of novel ecosystems is presented. A critical appraisal of the concept is made in relation to key marine ecological concepts and a new decision framework, fit for marine systems, is proposed as one of the possible way to use the novel ecosystem concept to advance the conservation and restoration of marine ecosystems.