Figure 4
From: Non-linear changes in modelled terrestrial ecosystems subjected to perturbations
Irreversibility of change in total ecosystem biomass during a gradual increase in human impact (solid lines), for 95 years by 1% of total primary production per annum to 95% removal; followed by a gradual release (dotted lines), by 1% per annum to zero impact. Lines show biomasses in different trophic levels—autotrophs (grey), herbivores (green), omnivores (purple) and carnivores (red) in four ecosystems: (a) high productivity, aseasonal (Uganda); (b) relatively high productivity, highly seasonal (France); (c) relatively low productivity, seasonal (Gobi Desert, China); and (d) low productivity, aseasonal (Libyan Desert). Shading shows 95% confidence intervals.
