A new publication involving BIOPOLE researchers has been published in the AGU journal Earth’s Future (https://doi.org/10.1029/2025EF006478). This paper, co-led by Murphy and Williams, provides a conceptual framework for understanding the role ecological processes and feedbacks in the Earth System. It explores current understanding  of ecological feedbacks, how they affect the physical environment and chemical processes, how they may be affected by anthropogenic changes, and the implications for policy makers. The paper also highlights three priority research areas (1. Including ecological feedbacks in assessments of global change and ESMs, 2. Incorporation of ecological feedbacks across scales, 3. Suitable projections for policy advice) and the need for rapid development of understanding of ecological feedbacks and their role in globally important processes. It is particularly relevant to the aspects of global change research being undertaken by BIOPOLE across polar scales. It argues that ecological processes (including those examined by BIOPOLE such as carbon storage, nutrient cycling, and ocean productivity) are underrepresented in Earth System science and future projections.  

The Author of this Article Nadine Johnston (BAS),