What is the impact of climate change on ecosystem services?

Climate change has a profound impact on ecosystem services, and the correct choice highlights that it can degrade or disrupt these vital functions. Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans derive from natural environments, including clean air, water purification, pollination of crops, and carbon sequestration. As climate change alters temperature, precipitation patterns, and weather extremes, these services are often threatened.

For instance, rising temperatures can shift habitats and species distributions, leading to loss of biodiversity and compromising the balance within ecosystems. Changes in rainfall patterns can affect water availability and quality, impacting agriculture and human health. Additionally, extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, can directly damage ecosystems, disrupt food chains, and exacerbate existing environmental challenges.

The disruption of these services can have cascading effects on human activities and wellbeing, as reliance on natural resources remains critical for food security, livelihoods, and overall quality of life. By recognizing that climate change can degrade or disrupt ecosystem services, we can better understand the urgent need for adaptive management practices to mitigate these changes and protect our natural resources.