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

Abstract

Biodiversity{\textemdash}the variety of life on Earth{\textemdash}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.