Central and South America

Abstract

Central and South America (CSA) are highly exposed, vulnerable and strongly impacted by climate change, a situation amplifed by inequality, poverty, population growth and high population density, land use change particularly deforestation with the consequent biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and high dependence of national and local economies on natural resources for the production of commodities. The distribution of terrestrial species has changed in the Andes due to increasing temperature. Ocean and coastal ecosystems in the region, such as coral reefs, estuaries, salt marshes, mangroves and sandy beaches, are highly sensitive and negatively impacted by climate change and derived hazards. Global warming has caused glacier loss in the Andes from 30% to more than 50% of their area since the 1980s. Glacier retreat, temperature increase and precipitation variability, together with land use changes, have affected ecosystems, water resources and livelihoods through landslides and flood disasters. Ecosystem-based adaptation is the most common adaptation strategy for terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.