Suppressing disturbance makes ecosystems more vulnerable to catastrophe

Evidence

Reducing disturbance frequencies (e.g., by preventing fires and insect outbreaks) can also have serious consequences, especially in ecosystems where disturbance is normally common. In many ecosystems, primary productivity declines after long disturbance-free periods due to sequestration of nutrients in organic matter. … Thus, in addition to decreasing overall NPP, reducing disturbance frequency may increase the danger of catastrophic large-scale disturbances that destroy the very resources managers are trying to protect. — S. T. A. Pickett and P. S. White, eds., The Ecology of Natural Disturbance and…, 2073

Categorization

• XREF: The classic fire-suppression paradox — connects to the environmental-justice thread insofar as ‘protecting’ a landscape by excluding disturbance caps its long-term resilience. — connects to: BWCA management excluded fire despite its dominant ecological role — Miron L. Heinselman, Fire in the Virgin Forests of the…, 25; Fire suppression restructures the whole ecosystem and reduces overall wildlife diversity — Miron L. Heinselman, Fire in the Virgin Forests of the…, 442; Man-controlled burning can still yield a natural ecosystem — Miron L. Heinselman, Fire in the Virgin Forests of the…, 477 (+11 more)