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Chapter 7 : Ecosystems, Ecosystem Services, and Biodiversity. Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: The Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II

Authors:

Douglas Lipton

Shawn Carter

Jay Peterson

Lisa Crozier

Michael Fogarty

Sarah Gaichas

Kimberly Hyde

Toni Lyn Morelli

Jeffrey Morisette

Hassan Moustahfid

Roldan Muñoz

Rajendra Poudel

Madeleine Rubenstein

Michelle Staudinger

Charles Stock

Laura Thompson

Robin Waples

Sarah Weiskopf

Jake Weltzin

+14 more
Publication Type:
Journal Article
Year of Publication:
2018
Publisher:
U.S. Global Change Research Program
DOI:
10.7930/NCA4.2018.CH7
Year:
2018
Date:
Nov-23-2018

Abstract

Biodiversity—the variety of life on Earth—provides vital services that support and improve human health and wellbeing. Mounting evidence also demonstrates that climate change is increasingly compromising the ecosystem services that sustain human communities, economies, and wellbeing. Both human and natural systems respond to change, but their ability to respond and thrive under new conditions is determined by their adaptive capacity, which may be inadequate to keep pace with rapid change.