[U-04] Environments of the Anthropocene: Natural Diversity and Resilience Perspective

Sun. May 21, 2023 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM Exhibition Hall Special Setting (1) (Exhibition Hall 8, Makuhari Messe)

convener:Abhik Chakraborty(Wakayama University ), Simon Richard Wallis(The University of Tokyo), Chiaki T. Oguchi(Institute for Environmental Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University), Chairperson:Simon Richard Wallis(The University of Tokyo)

In the Anthropocene, human influence on the natural environments has transcended the biosphere and increasingly perturbs the earth system. Major biogeochemical cycles have been altered; a number of earth-surface processes have been tipped into territories beyond their natural parameters; and interactions between earth processes such as the earth-surface-atmosphere mechanisms are undergoing rapid change. While sometimes the Anthropocene is seen as a shorthand for climate change--it is much more than that, and involves pervasive and possibly irrevocable changes to the whole earth system--which remains incompletely understood to date. Some notable areas of concern are: rapid homogenization of the planet's surface features (and a consequent erosion of landscape-level diversity); an extinction rate among major flora and fauna that far surpasses the natural background extinction rate; and the loss of 'habitats' for many species (which actually follows from the two prior points). Thus, we believe a holistic and rigorous appraisal of this Anthropocene condition is urgently needed. In this session we welcome presentations on the concept of the geological (and stratigraphical) Anthropocene and its implications for natural diversity as well as for the wellbeing of our species. Angles such as 'geodiversity' (abiotic diversity as a vital component of the integrity of the natural environment); 'geological time' (as an important reference point as well as a backdrop for most earth processes that puts the recent change into perspective); runaway changes in the cryosphere (high mountains, polar regions, sea ice dynamics); and effects on the biosphere and human societies are expected to be featured. In addition, papers that aim to provide novel methodological lenses or constructive critiques of the understanding of the Anthropocene are also welcome.