What is climate and how does climate change affect ecosystems
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Understanding Climate and the Impact of Climate Change on Ecosystems
What is Climate?
Climate refers to the long-term patterns of temperature, humidity, wind, precipitation, and other atmospheric conditions in a particular area. Unlike weather, which can change from day to day, climate represents the average conditions over extended periods, typically decades or longer. It encompasses the typical weather patterns and seasonal variations that characterize a region.
Climate Change and Its Effects on Ecosystems
Changes in Ecosystem Productivity
Climate change significantly impacts the productivity of various ecosystems. For instance, the loss of sea ice, rapid warming, and increased organic inputs are affecting marine and lake productivity. In terrestrial ecosystems, the combined effects of wildfires and insect outbreaks are reducing forest productivity, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Conversely, forests in wetter regions may experience increased productivity due to warming1.
Shifts in Species Ranges and Biodiversity
One of the most profound effects of climate change is the alteration of species ranges. By 2100, shifts in species distributions could change the composition of biomes across 5-20% of the US land area1. In Africa, climate change is expected to affect all levels of biodiversity, from genes to biomes, potentially leading to irreversible shifts in ecosystem structures and functions2. These changes can disrupt the provision of ecosystem services that are crucial for human well-being.
Marine Ecosystems and Ocean Changes
Marine ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Rising atmospheric CO2 levels and associated changes in temperature, circulation, stratification, nutrient input, oxygen content, and ocean acidification are driving significant biological effects. These include decreased ocean productivity, altered food web dynamics, reduced abundance of habitat-forming species, and increased disease incidence4 7. Such changes pose enormous challenges, especially for societies in developing countries that rely heavily on marine resources.
Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems
Both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are experiencing significant changes due to climate change. These include shifts in species composition, geographic ranges, and distributions. However, responses to climate change can differ between these ecosystems. For example, aquatic ecosystems are particularly affected by changes in temperature, moisture, atmospheric CO2, and solar UV radiation, which can disrupt biogeochemical and hydrologic cycles6. Enhanced permafrost thawing is likely to increase nutrient, sediment, and carbon loadings to aquatic systems, altering their chemistry and productivity9.
Ecosystem Services and Human Well-being
Ecosystem services, which include the provision of food, water, climate regulation, and cultural significance, are being altered by climate change. The rapidity of climate change relative to adaptive processes in social and ecological systems, along with rising atmospheric CO2 and ongoing land transformation, contribute to the projected loss of these services. This imbalance between the supply and demand of ecosystem services is expected to have a net negative effect on many regions, impacting most people adversely8.
Management and Adaptation Strategies
To mitigate the impacts of climate change on ecosystems, proactive and flexible adaptation strategies are essential. Natural resource managers need to consider both historical and future outlooks to minimize long-term costs. Although some organizations are beginning to explore these approaches, widespread and systematic implementation is still lacking5. Enhancing ecosystem resilience and exploring nature-based solutions are critical for maintaining a diverse and well-functioning biosphere under the challenging conditions of the 21st century3.
Conclusion
Climate change is a pervasive and growing threat to ecosystems worldwide. It affects ecosystem productivity, species distributions, and the provision of essential ecosystem services. Both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are experiencing significant changes, with marine ecosystems being particularly vulnerable. To address these challenges, it is crucial to implement adaptive management strategies and enhance ecosystem resilience. The interdependence between ecosystems and human well-being underscores the urgency of taking action to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
The impacts of climate change on ecosystem structure and function
Climate change impacts ecosystem productivity and ability to process chemical elements, with loss of sea ice, rapid warming, and higher organic inputs affecting marine and lake productivity, wildfires and insect outbreaks decreasing forest productivity, and shifts in species ranges altering biome composition across 5-20% of US land area by 2100.
Highly CitedImpact of climate change on biodiversity and associated key ecosystem services in Africa: a systematic review
Climate change is projected to significantly impact biodiversity and ecosystem services in Africa, affecting human survival and well-being.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedClimate change and ecosystems: threats, opportunities and solutions
Climate change impacts ecosystems, and understanding their responses and resilience can help mitigate and adapt to the changing climate.
Highly CitedThe Impact of Climate Change on the World’s Marine Ecosystems
Climate change is leading to decreased ocean productivity, altered food web dynamics, reduced abundance of habitat-forming species, shifting species distributions, and increased disease incidence.
Highly CitedClimate change effects on biodiversity, ecosystems, ecosystem services, and natural resource management in the United States.
Climate change impacts biodiversity and ecosystems in the U.S., altering ecosystem services and requiring proactive, flexible adaptation strategies for effective management.
Highly CitedComparing the impacts of climate change on the responses and linkages between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Climate change impacts both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, affecting biodiversity, structure, and function, with some responses shared but others unique.
Highly CitedClimate change impacts on marine ecosystems.
Climate change impacts marine ecosystems, leading to altered community structure and diversity, potentially resulting in novel ecosystems and affecting ecosystem functioning and services for people and societies.
Highly CitedClimate change and ecosystem services
Climate change has a net negative effect on many ecosystem services, with losses exceeding gains under low-mitigation scenarios, affecting many places and most people.
Highly CitedClimate Change Effects on Aquatic Biota, Ecosystem Structure and Function
Climate change is projected to significantly alter aquatic biogeochemical processes, food web structure, biodiversity, and habitat quality/quantity for aquatic mammals and waterfowl, potentially increasing mortality and decreasing growth and productivity due to disease and parasites.
Highly Cited