Climate Effects on U.S. Agriculture and Forests

Climate change impacts are already evident in many U.S. forests, ecosystems and agroecosystems. Additional effects and opportunities to mitigate those effects are being brought about by increased frequency and magnitude of extreme weather events (drought, heavy rainfall, heat waves) and associated disturbances (wildfires, insect outbreaks). Ecosystem services and agricultural productivity can both be maintained in most locations through timely implementation of risk assessments and climate-smart management. The long-term goal is to ensure that U.S. agriculture, food production, forests, and ecosystems are more resilient to both climate and non-climate stressors now and in the future.