Understanding and mitigating climate change impacts on ecosystem health and functionality

Abstract

The impacts of climate change on forest ecosystems are profound and far-reaching, influencing not only the physiological responses of individual trees but also the ecological services and overall health of forests worldwide. This review synthesises current knowledge on climate change’s physiological and ecological implications for forest health, underscoring forests’ critical role in carbon sequestration, biodiversity maintenance, water cycle regulation, soil conservation, disaster risk reduction, and climate regulation. Forests, covering about 31% of the Earth’s land area, are vital carbon sinks and pivotal in sustaining biodiversity, with over three-quarters of terrestrial biodiversity residing within them. Climate change, characterised by rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and increasing frequency of extreme weather events, poses significant threats to these ecosystems. These include altered forest structure and function, degradation of soil quality, changes in phenology, increased pest attacks, and heightened susceptibility to wildfires, all of which compromise the forests’ ability to deliver essential ecological services. The physiological responses of forests to changing climatic conditions—such as variations in photosynthesis rates, respiration, and water use efficiency—play a key role in determining their health and capacity to support biodiversity and ecosystem services. Changes in abiotic factors like temperature, moisture, O₂ and CO₂ levels directly affect these physiological processes, subsequently influencing forest productivity and resilience. The review highlights the importance of understanding these dynamic interactions to develop effective forest conservation and climate change mitigation strategies. Moreover, the review delves into the multifaceted impacts of climate change on various ecosystem services provided by forests, including biodiversity support, water cycle regulation, soil conservation, and climate regulation through carbon sequestration. As climate change continues to alter these vital ecosystems, understanding their physiological responses and the consequent effect on ecological services becomes imperative.

Graphic abstract