Abstract:River deltas occupy only ~0.65% of Earth's land surface, but collectively house ~4.5% of the global population and account for more than 6% of the global GDP. Because of ongoing human interventions in the past century (river diversions, groundwater and petroleum extraction, and urbanization), deltas are coming under additional and intense threat from climate change and the impending sea-level rise. Many highlatitude and tropical deltas where population pressure is low and human modification is minimal face les… Show more
“…Identifying feedback and non-linear responses remains key for developing sustainable solutions to improve delta ecological health and human well-being. Implementing adaptive management on its own might not be sufficient if delta social–ecological tipping points are reached; considering recent indications that the global future of deltas is ‘perilous’ (Haq and Milliman 2023 ) efforts must be made in all aspects to avoid negative and irreversible delta tipping points and the loss of sustainable livelihoods in the world’s most vulnerable landforms.…”
The sustainability of social–ecological systems within river deltas globally is in question as rapid development and environmental change trigger “negative” or “positive” tipping points depending on actors’ perspectives, e.g. regime shift from abundant sediment deposition to sediment shortage, agricultural sustainability to agricultural collapse or shift from rural to urban land use. Using a systematic review of the literature, we show how cascading effects across anthropogenic, ecological, and geophysical processes have triggered numerous tipping points in the governance, hydrological, and land-use management of the world’s river deltas. Crossing tipping points had both positive and negative effects that generally enhanced economic development to the detriment of the environment. Assessment of deltas that featured prominently in the review revealed how outcomes of tipping points can inform the long-term trajectory of deltas towards sustainability or collapse. Management of key drivers at the delta scale can trigger positive tipping points to place social–ecological systems on a pathway towards sustainable development.
“…Identifying feedback and non-linear responses remains key for developing sustainable solutions to improve delta ecological health and human well-being. Implementing adaptive management on its own might not be sufficient if delta social–ecological tipping points are reached; considering recent indications that the global future of deltas is ‘perilous’ (Haq and Milliman 2023 ) efforts must be made in all aspects to avoid negative and irreversible delta tipping points and the loss of sustainable livelihoods in the world’s most vulnerable landforms.…”
The sustainability of social–ecological systems within river deltas globally is in question as rapid development and environmental change trigger “negative” or “positive” tipping points depending on actors’ perspectives, e.g. regime shift from abundant sediment deposition to sediment shortage, agricultural sustainability to agricultural collapse or shift from rural to urban land use. Using a systematic review of the literature, we show how cascading effects across anthropogenic, ecological, and geophysical processes have triggered numerous tipping points in the governance, hydrological, and land-use management of the world’s river deltas. Crossing tipping points had both positive and negative effects that generally enhanced economic development to the detriment of the environment. Assessment of deltas that featured prominently in the review revealed how outcomes of tipping points can inform the long-term trajectory of deltas towards sustainability or collapse. Management of key drivers at the delta scale can trigger positive tipping points to place social–ecological systems on a pathway towards sustainable development.
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