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The Regime Shifts DataBase is an initiative led by the Stockholm Resilience Centre to review and synthesize examples of different types of regime shifts that have been documented in social-ecological systems. The database focuses specifically on regime shifts that have large impacts on ecosystem services and human well-being. The aim is to provide a high-quality, descriptive, open-source information resource for students, lecturers, ecosystem managers and researchers, and for future assessment activities such as IPBES (Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services).
The information in the database is based on assessment and synthesis of the literature, and the description of each regime shift is reviewed by an expert prior to publishing it online wherever possible. The information is intended to provide a general descriptive overview of different regime shifts and point to resources for more detailed information.
The site is intended to function as a high-quality Wikipedia-like space. We warmly welcome all contributions! You can contribute by:
- Adding additional figures or references to existing examples
- Adding comments to existing examples to suggest how the text might be improved or expanded
- Adding new examples of regime shifts or case studies
- Suggesting possible new examples that we might add to the database
- Sending us general comments and suggestions for improving this website
This project has been made possible through funding support from:
Please let us know if there are additional funders you would like us to acknoweldge here.
What is a regime shift?
We define regime shifts as large, persistent changes in the structure and function of social-ecological systems, with substantive impacts on the suite of ecosystem services provided by these systems. Better understanding of regime shifts is important as they may have substantial impacts on human economies, societies and well-being, and are often difficult to anticipate and costly to reverse.
How do regime shifts work?
Different regimes can be metaphorically represented by a ball-and-cup diagram. The valleys or cups represent different regimes or fundamental ways in which the system can function and be structured. A regime shift entails a shift in the current system state (represented as a ball) from one cup or valley to another. While in a particular regime, it is important to note that the system does not remain stable but fluctuates around.
Regime shifts result from a change in the dominant feedbacks. All complex systems contain many feedback loops, but these can typically evolve and combine in only a limited number of ways. Over time, a particular combination of feedbacks will tend to become dominant, leading the system to self-organize into a particular structure and function – or "regime". However, if the system experiences a large shock (eg a volcano) or persistent directional change (eg accumulation of pollutants, habitat loss) the dominant feedbacks may be overwhelmed or eroded. At some point a critical threshold may be passed where a different set of feedbacks become dominant, and the system experiences a large, often abrupt change in structure and function – or a "regime shift".
Further reading
Biggs R, Blenckner T, Folke C, Gordon L, Norström A, Nyström M & Peterson GD. 2011. Regime Shifts. In: Sourcebook in Theoretical Ecology. Hastings A & Gross L (eds). University of California Press, Berkeley.
May RM, Levin SA, Sugihara G. 2008. Ecology for Bankers. Nature 451, 893-895.
Scheffer M. 2009. Critical transitions in Nature and Society. Princeton University Press.
Scheffer M, Carpenter SR, Foley JA, Folke C & Walker BH. 2001. Catastrophic shifts in ecosystems. Nature 413, 591-596.
Online resources:
Regime Shifts: What are they and why do they matter? http://www.regimeshifts.org/datasets-resources/details/15/26
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regime_shift
Resilience Alliance Thresholds Database: http://www.resalliance.org/index.php/thresholds_database
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We warmly welcome all contributions to the database! Please use the links below to contribute an example of a generic type of regime shift, a specific case study of a particular regime shift, or to suggest a potential regime shift or case study for future inclusion.
Add Regime Shift
These are generic descriptions of types of regime shifts that have been observed at multiple locations or case studies (e.g. eutrophication). They can also include unique large scale subcontinental or global regime shifts (e.g. collapse of the Greenland ice sheet). We suggest filling out the description offline using the Regime Shift Template, and then copying and pasting the details into the online form.
Add Case Study
These are specific examples of regime shifts in particular places or case studies (e.g. eutrophication in the Baltic Sea). We suggest filling out the description offline using the Case Study Template, and then copying and pasting the details into the online form.
Suggest a Regime Shift or Case Study
Please let us know if you have suggestions for potential regime shifts or case studies to be included – e.g. if you are unable to write them up yourself, or are unsure if they fit. You are also welcome to contact us with questions at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Contribute or suggest an example
We warmly welcome all contributions to the database! Please use the links below to contribute an example of a generic type of regime shift, a specific case study of a particular regime shift, or to suggest a potential regime shift or case study for future inclusion.
Add Regime Shift
These are generic descriptions of types of regime shifts that have been observed at multiple locations or case studies (e.g. eutrophication). They can also include unique large scale subcontinental or global regime shifts (e.g. collapse of the Greenland ice sheet). We suggest filling out the description offline using the Regime Shift Template, and then copying and pasting the details into the online form.
Add Case Study
These are specific examples of regime shifts in particular places or case studies (e.g. eutrophication in the Baltic Sea). We suggest filling out the description offline using the Case Study Template, and then copying and pasting the details into the online form.
Suggest a Regime Shift or Case Study
Please let us know if you have suggestions for potential regime shifts or case studies to be included – e.g. if you are unable to write them up yourself, or are unsure if they fit. You are also welcome to contact us with questions at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
