Prerna Sood and Tejdeep Kaur Kler
Abstract
Climate change is one of the most significant global challenges of the 21st century, with profound impacts on ecosystem services that sustain human life and well-being. Ecosystem services are the benefits derived from natural systems encompass provisioning, regulating, supporting and cultural services, all of which are crucial for food security, water supply, air quality, disease regulation and cultural identity. However, climate change is altering the dynamics of these services through rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, ocean acidification and more frequent extreme weather events. These changes affect biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and the ability of ecosystems to provide essential services. Over time, climate change may have a direct or indirect impact on the range and extents of ecosystem services in terms of both quality and quantity. The ecosystemâs supporting services (soil formation, biomass production, nutrient cycling, atmospheric oxygen production, and the water cycle), provisioning services (Food, drinking water, fabrics, plants, animal species, timber, wood fuel, fodder), regulating services (such as seed dispersal, decomposition, flood control, water management, carbon sequestration, climate regulation, and cross-pollination)all are affected due to climate change. In addition, cultural services such as tourism and leisure, aesthetics, cultural heritage, spiritual and religious values, education, social interactions, and ecotourism all will become less prevalent due to climate change. This write up examines the relationship between climate change and ecosystem services and to discuss the potential adaptation and mitigation strategies for the impacts of climate change on ecosystem services. It also highlights the urgent need for integrated approaches in conservation and policy development to protect both natural ecosystems and human well-being.