Insights from the tropics: a social-ecological systems approach to understanding climate change

The tropics are experiencing dramatic changes as a result of climate change and land-use change. Shifts in carbon flux dynamics, water cycling, and species composition are resulting in feedbacks with globally important consequences. However, tropical forests are not a monolith. They vary enormously in terms of species diversity, climate, soils, human interactions, and much more. As a result, tropical forest ecosystems are already beginning to show evidence of distinct responses to climate and land-use change. Yet, these differences remain highly uncertain and poorly understood. An integrated social-ecological systems approach is critical for understanding drivers of and responses to change, as well as for identifying solutions.