Braun de Torrez Elizabeth C, Frock Catherine F, Boone Wesley W, Sovie Adia R, McCleery Robert A
Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, 110 Newins-Ziegler Hall, P.O. Box 110430, Gainesville, FL 32611-0430 USA.
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture Food and the Environment, Thomas Poe Cooper Building, 730 Rose St., Lexington, KY 40546 USA.
Estuaries Coast. 2021;44(4):899-910. doi: 10.1007/s12237-020-00850-w. Epub 2020 Oct 18.
Climate change will alter natural areas on a global scale within the next century. In areas vulnerable to climate change, scientists are regularly challenged to justify the resources needed for research and conservation. We face what may seem like a losing battle, especially in low-lying coastal areas where sea-level rise is predicted to severely degrade or destroy many ecosystems. Using sea-level rise in the low-elevation state of Florida, USA, as a case study, we argue that it is critical to remain engaged in the research, restoration, and conservation of natural areas threatened by climate change for as long as possible. These areas will continue to provide invaluable ecological and societal benefits. Additionally, uncertainty surrounding climate change forecasts and their ecological impact leaves room for optimism, research, and actions that are necessary for developing adaptation plans and mitigating further sea-level rise and other consequences of climate change. We urge scientists and particularly students beginning their careers not to forego research and conservation efforts of these imperiled lands but to face this unprecedented challenge with determination, creativity, and solution-based strategies.
气候变化将在下个世纪在全球范围内改变自然区域。在易受气候变化影响的地区，科学家经常面临为研究和保护所需资源进行辩护的挑战。我们面临着一场看似必败的战斗，尤其是在预计海平面上升将严重退化或破坏许多生态系统的低洼沿海地区。以美国佛罗里达州这个低海拔州的海平面上升为例，我们认为，尽可能长时间地参与受气候变化威胁的自然区域的研究、恢复和保护至关重要。这些区域将继续提供宝贵的生态和社会效益。此外，围绕气候变化预测及其生态影响的不确定性为乐观态度、研究以及制定适应计划和减轻海平面进一步上升及气候变化其他后果所必需的行动留出了空间。我们敦促科学家，尤其是刚开始职业生涯的学生，不要放弃对这些濒危土地的研究和保护努力，而是要用决心、创造力和基于解决方案的策略来面对这一前所未有的挑战。
