The Impacts of Climate Change and Human Activities on the Structure and Function of Wetland/Grassland Ecosystems

Book excerpt: Wetlands and grassland are important components of natural ecosystems, which have rich values in maintaining ecological balance, regional economy and human development. Wetlands can provide freshwater resources and food sources for human beings, purify the water environment and mitigate climate change. The grassland ecosystem has such ecological functions as windbreak, sand fixation, soil preservation, climate regulation, air purification, water conservation and so on, which are closely related to human survival and well-being. In recent years, climate change and human activities have caused a profound impact on the structure and function of wetland and grassland ecosystems, and the problems of decline in size and function have attracted extensive attention from researchers globally. However, there are still many uncertainties about the variety of wetland and grassland ecosystem composition, structure and dynamics, as well as how they respond and adapt to climate change and human activities.