Cascading events in linked ecological and socioeconomic systems

start in small areas and propagate non-linearly through time to influence large areas, are becoming increasingly important in both ecological and human-dominated systems. Global change is increasing the frequency and magnitude of cascading events. At the same time, globalization is increasing the connectivity of systems in multiple ways and at multiple scales, thereby initiating new types of cascading events. In particular, globalization is allowing activities in one country to initiate and drive cascading events in other countries, and even among continents. Predicting the initiation and rate of spread of these events is particularly difficult for connections among non-contiguous areas. The aim of the workshop reported here was to compare and contrast cascading events occurring throughout North, Central, and South America. Our goals were to: (1) identify how, when, and where these cascading events are likely to occur, so that predictions can be improved and the effects of such events averted or minimized, and (2) draw upon expertise among scientists from different disciplines, countries, and systems of interest in order to develop a conceptual and predictive framework for cascading events (Peters et al. 2004).