Impacts on land

Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns are altering natural landscapes, leading to shifts in plant and animal habitats. Species migration and the spread of invasive species can change the composition of ecosystems.

Increased temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and prolonged droughts are exacerbating desertification, particularly in semi-arid regions such as the Sahel in Africa, parts of Central Asia, and the Middle East.

Climate change contributes to soil erosion, nutrient depletion, and reduced organic matter. Increased rainfall intensity can lead to more severe soil erosion, while higher temperatures can accelerate the decomposition of organic matter.

While some regions may see potential benefits from longer growing seasons and increased CO2 fertilization, many areas are experiencing negative impacts on crop yields due to heat stress, drought, flooding, and the proliferation of pests and diseases.

An increase in the frequency and intensity of wildfires is affecting forests worldwide, with significant fires in regions like the Amazon, Australia, the western United States, and Siberia. These fires not only destroy habitats but also release large quantities of CO2.

In high-latitude regions, thawing permafrost is releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and causing ground instability, which affects infrastructure and natural landscapes.

Changes in precipitation and the melting of glaciers are affecting river flows and reducing water availability for agriculture, human consumption, and other uses.

Rising sea levels are leading to the salinization of coastal groundwater and the inundation of low-lying agricultural land, reducing the land available for cultivation and affecting food security.

Efforts to adapt to and mitigate climate change are leading to changes in land use, such as the expansion of renewable energy installations (e.g., solar and wind farms) and the planting of trees for carbon sequestration.

The loss and fragmentation of habitats, along with other stressors like overexploitation and pollution, are contributing to a decline in biodiversity and the loss of ecosystem services.

Deforestation and land-use changes are significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to further climate change.

Many indigenous and rural communities are directly dependent on their natural environment, and changes in land conditions can have profound impacts on their livelihoods and cultures.

Sustainable land management practices, such as conservation agriculture, agroforestry, and ecological restoration, are being implemented to enhance resilience to climate impacts.

Policies to protect and restore ecosystems, such as reforestation and wetland restoration, are being promoted to sequester carbon and provide other ecosystem services.