Historical legacies accumulate to shape future biodiversity in an era of rapid global change

摘要: Aim Biodiversity responses to changing environmental forcing on species are often characterized by considerable time-lags (= relaxation times). Although changes the occurrence and abundance of likely have cascading effects (e.g. other trophic levels, genes, community structure ecosystem processes), current concepts addressing lagged biodiversity limited single drivers affecting a few components extinction debt in terms numbers or population size). Little attention has been paid interacting cumulative nature time-lag phenomena. Here, we synthesize knowledge, mechanisms implications delayed propose ‘cumulative lags-framework’ which aims integrate various biological organization. Location Global. Results Effects change transmitted along series linked cause–effect relationships act different individuals, populations, species, communities). We show that caused metapopulation dynamics, dispersal limitation, successional dynamics), operate sequentially these intermediary links. Lags manifest themselves respective component over time; full relaxation time focal system will therefore depend aggregate length lags. elucidate key circumstances cause responses, research avenues improve understanding lags. Main conclusions The failure give adequate consideration widespread masks extent already triggered. Effects particularly relevant for human livelihoods provision services) may emerge with most pronounced delay. Accordingly, appropriate temporal scales should become topic future work at science–policy interface.