Ecosystems are communities of living things, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, that interact with each other and with the physical world. Humans depend on ecosystems for many benefits, such as food, water, clean air, building materials, and recreation. Ecosystems can be large, like the one surrounding Yellowstone National Park, or as small as a single fallen tree. These connections between ecosystems also make them interdependent, rather than simply dependent on the organisms within them.
Impacts of climate change
Climate change affects ecosystems in many ways:
- Control of plant growth, animal behavior and organismal flourishing
- Changes in temperature, precipitation and other climatic conditions
People are taking action to help ecosystems adapt to or minimize the effects of climate change, including policy consideration and habitat conservation.
Main impacts of climate change on ecosystems
- Changes in species and populations
Species adapt by changing behavior, physical characteristics or body functions.
Some species will not be able to adapt, which may lead to population expansions, reductions or extinctions.
Plants and animals change their geographic range in response to new climatic conditions.
- Changes in the timing of natural events and cycles
Species that depend on natural cues may be out of sync due to changes in temperature and water conditions.
Plankton and fish may no longer be synchronized in time for feeding and development.
- Changes in ecosystem interactions
Invasive species can outcompete native plants and animals, causing environmental and economic damage.
Warming ocean waters can bring invasive fish species into new areas, threatening native species and humans.
- Altered or reduced ecosystem services
Drought and heat can affect the availability and quality of foods.
Climate impacts can limit the capacity of forest ecosystems to absorb and store carbon dioxide.
Ecosystems and the economy
- Ecosystems and their benefits support key aspects of human existence and the economy.
- Ecosystem services are valued at $125 to $145 trillion annually.
- The impacts of climate change affect the livelihoods of millions of Americans, including fishermen, loggers, farmers and ranchers.
- Agriculture and the tourism and recreation industry are also affected by climate change.
Environmental justice and equity
- Some communities, such as indigenous and rural ones, are more dependent on ecosystems and their services.
- Climate impacts can damage the cultural heritage of indigenous peoples and their ability to hunt and fish.
- Rural communities depend on agriculture, fishing and livestock raising, and are more likely to feel the economic impacts of climate change.
