Shifting Baselines
A shifting baseline is a gradual change in our accepted norm for ecological conditions from generation to generation. These baselines have shifted because of certain conditions in these specific ecosystems. For environmentalists, shifting baselines are important references in measuring ecosystems. It is used to evaluate the change in an ecosystem over time. Knowing what the baseline is for an ecosystem that has been degraded can help scientists find ways to restore that ecosystem.
What is an example of a shifting baseline?
Imagine an pond full of biodiversity in the 1970's. There are many species of fish and also plants that are underwater. As time goes on, there are less and less species of fish. It is now the 1980's. The people of this generation think that the lack of species is the norm of that ecosystem, while the generation in the 70's remembers how diverse the pond once was. This process goes on for generations to generations.
What is an example of a shifting baseline?
Imagine an pond full of biodiversity in the 1970's. There are many species of fish and also plants that are underwater. As time goes on, there are less and less species of fish. It is now the 1980's. The people of this generation think that the lack of species is the norm of that ecosystem, while the generation in the 70's remembers how diverse the pond once was. This process goes on for generations to generations.