Ocean Tipping Points
Project Goals
Tipping points occur when small shifts in human pressures or environmental conditions bring about large, sometimes abrupt changes in a system -- whether in a human society, a physical system, an ecosystem or our planet’s climate. We sought to develop practical tools to help decision-makers anticipate and avoid or recover from crossing tipping points to better manage human impacts on the marine environment.
The Ocean Tipping Points collaborative research project sought to understand and characterize tipping points in ocean ecosystems. This idea was not new. Many scientists before us studied the complex dynamics of marine ecosystems, highlighting the potential for rapid, dramatic changes in ocean conditions. However, past science did little to influence the way we manage marine ecosystems. We had an opportunity to change this, as promising new science converges with a paradigm shift toward ecosystem-based management of our coasts and oceans.
The Ocean Tipping Points project bought together experts from many fields. We were natural and social scientists, law and policy experts, resource managers, and communicators and educators, each offering a critical piece of the puzzle. Our research team tackled this multi-faceted problem through research, policy analysis, communication and practical implementation. We synthesized when, where and how marine ecosystem shifts occur and worked with case study partners to develop, test and vet practical approaches and tools that help managers use this innovative science as they implement marine ecosystem-based management. Overarching goals of the Ocean Tipping Points project aimed to improve knowledge and understanding of ocean tipping points, their potential impacts and their relevance to management.
Project Outcomes
In spring 2016, members of the Hawaii case study team shared preliminary data products, maps and results with coral reef scientists and managers from the State Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) in Maui and West Hawaii, as well as at a public town hall at ICRS in Honolulu. Together with management partners, the Haida Gwaii case study team presented preliminary results on the unique Haida Gwaii social-ecological system at the International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC) in July 2016.
The Ocean Tipping Points project, funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, completed its fourth and final year of initial funding in 2016. Project collaborators synthesized results and continue to work with stakeholders to ensure that the collected data, conceptual knowledge and lessons learned from this project are readily available and useful for managers. To this end, the Ocean Tipping Points communication team developed a web portal to make all of the data, resources and guidance produced throughout the project accessible to marine managers and other stakeholders in need of the latest tools to manage a changing ocean. The online portal was launched in spring 2017.