Regime Shift
Regime shifts are large, abrupt, persistent changes in the structure and function of a system. A regime is a characteristic behaviour of a system which is maintained by mutually reinforced processes or feedbacks. Regimes are considered persistent relative to the time period over which the shift occurs. The change of regimes, or the shift, usually occurs when a smooth change in an internal process (feedback) or a single disturbance (external shocks) triggers a completely different system behavior. Although such non-linear change have been widely studied in different disciplines ranging from atoms to climate dynamics; regime shifts have gained importance in ecology because they can substantially affect the flow of ecosystem services that societies rely upon; such as provision of food, clean water or climate regulation. Moreover, regime shifts occurrence is expected to increase as human influence on the planet increase -the anthropocene-, including current trends on human induced climate change and biodiversity loss.
Read more about Regime Shift: History of The Concept, Current Applications of The Regime Shift Concept, Theoretical Basis, Evidence, Detecting Regime Shifts, Frontiers of Research
Famous quotes containing the words regime and/or shift:
“I always draw a parallel between oppression by the regime and oppression by men. To me it is just the same. I always challenge men on why they react to oppression by the regime, but then they do exactly the same things to women that they criticize the regime for.”
—Sethembile N., South African black anti-apartheid activist. As quoted in Lives of Courage, ch. 19, by Diana E. H. Russell (1989)
“What is the life of man! Is it not to shift from side to side?—from sorrow to sorrow?—to button up one cause of vexation!—and unbutton another!”
—Laurence Sterne (1713–1768)