The go-to data point used to indicate whether an institution is helping students reach success has tended to be its graduation rate. Post-graduation employment is another indicator but the definition of student success has evolved to include many more areas.
However, many examples exist of non-linear and sometimes abrupt changes in ecosystems. A change may be gradual until a particular pressure on the ecosystem reaches a threshold, at which point rapid shifts to a new state occur. Some non-linear changes can be very large and have substantial impacts on human well-being.
4.3.1 Over the past 50 years, the most important direct drivers of change have been: 1  In terrestrial ecosystems: land cover change, mainly by conversion to cropland, and the application of new technologies contributing to the increased supply of food, timber, and fiber. 2  In marine ecosystems: fishing.