Gene

Environmental resource management

Ecosystem

Ecosystem management

Biodiversity

Climate change

Function (biology)

Ecosystem health

Business

Ecology

Transformation (genetics)

Resource (disambiguation)

Wildlife

Natural resource

Computer network

Environmental science

Computer science

Biochemistry

Ecosystem services

Total human ecosystem

Evolutionary biology

Biology

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment

Ecosystem transformation involves the emergence of persistent ecological or social–ecological systems that diverge, dramatically and irreversibly, from prior ecosystem structure and function. Such transformations are occurring at increasing rates across the planet in response to changes in climate, land use, and other factors. Consequently, a dynamic view of ecosystem processes that accommodates rapid, irreversible change will be critical for effectively conserving fish, wildlife, and other natural resources, and maintaining ecosystem services. However, managing ecosystems toward states with novel structure and function is an inherently unpredictable and difficult task. Managers navigating ecosystem transformation can benefit from considering broader objectives, beyond a traditional focus on resisting ecosystem change, by also considering whether accepting inevitable change or directing it along some desirable pathway is more feasible (that is, practical and appropriate) under some circumstances (the RAD framework). By explicitly acknowledging transformation and implementing an iterative RAD approach, natural resource managers can be deliberate and strategic in addressing profound ecosystem change.

Managing for RADical ecosystem change: applying the Resist‐Accept‐Direct (RAD) framework