11.5 `Points of no return' triggered by eutrophication?

11.5 `Points of no return' triggered by eutrophication?

Whereas there are experimental and empirical approaches applicable to establish dose-response relationships and definitions of nutrient thresholds those of `points of no return' are certainly cumbersome. This dilemma -- which involves, by definition long-term responses, is not amenable to direct experimentation. The approach to define and understand points of no return must be, therefore, based on

• the identification of bottlenecks for the resilience of ecosystems
• the formulation of models incorporating these bottle-necks and
• the use of existing case studies to test and validate the models.

Only few regional data sets exist in Europe which could serve as a data base investigate points of no return (e.g. Danish and Swedish experience in major reductions in nutrient inputs to coastal ecosystems).

11.5 `Points of no return' triggered by eutrophication?