Climate change has a profound impact on
the dynamics of agricultural and natural
ecosystems, particularly sustainability of
agricultural biodiversity. The loss of biodiversity
in agricultural landscapes affects
not just the production of food, fuel
and fibre, but also a range of ecological
services supporting clean water supplies,
habitats for wild species, human health,
long-term security and resilience. The
world’s population of 6.3 billion people
is projected to grow to 9 billion by 2050.
The observed climate change, especially
warmer regional temperatures, has already
affected biodiversity and ecosystems,
causing changes in species distribution,
population size, the timing of reproduction
or migration events and an increase
in the frequency of pests and diseases.
Conservation of biodiversity and maintenance
of ecosystem integrity appear to be
imperatives for improving the adaptive
capacity of poor groups to cope with
climate change.