Approach
Connections across natural ecosystems also enable large-scale adaptation by creating a mosaic of habitats to support natural and facilitated migrations of plants, animals, and other organisms across the landscape. While species migration is a critical factor in the maintenance of natural ecosystem function in a changing climate, the fragmentation of landscapes and loss of habitat may restrict species movements and gene flow. Many species are not expected to be able to migrate at a rate sufficient to keep up with climate change and associated range shifts. Increasing landscape connectivity may help species to migrate without additional assistance by allowing for easier species movement, reducing lags in migration, and enhancing the flow of genetic material.
Tactics
- Use landscape-scale planning and partnerships to reduce fragmentation and enhance connectivity.
- Maintain and create naturalized habitat corridors.
Strategy
Strategy Text
Individual farms, fields pastures, and grazing lands are part of a larger, landscape-level agroecosystem that provides critical ecosystem services and non-commodity goods in addition to agricultural products. Because of the global nature of climate change, impacts will be observed across landscapes and regions. Actions to increase landscape diversity and connectivity can increase the ability of systems to adapt to changing environmental conditions and stresses. While the ability of individual producers to affect landscape-level change will vary widely, the integration of landscape considerations into farm management may help to increase adaptive capacity of the agriculture sector in the long term.
Janowiak, M., D. Dostie, M. Wilson M. Kucera, R. H. Skinner, J. Hatfield, D. Hollinger, and C. Swanston. 2016. Adaptation Resources for Agriculture: Responding to Climate Variability and Change in the Midwest and Northeast. Technical Bulletin 1944. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Chief Economist, Climate Change Program Office. 69 p.,