Introduction

Abstract

Throughout Earth’s history, its climates have been changing, and biotic systems have mutated, migrated, and otherwise adapted as tectonic shifts have reconfigured the continents and polar ice caps have ebbed and flowed across the latitudes through glacial cycles. In our own era, there is growing evidence that changes in climate that in the past have taken place over the course of millennia are now taking place in a matter of decades. These accelerated changed in climate are challenge the ability of both human civilization and the natural systems on which it depends, to adapt quickly enough to keep pace. Through efforts like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, leading scientists around the world have focused their energies on understanding the nature and implications of these changes, and the world’s governments are striving to develop the institutions and resources to enable timely and effective actions to mitigate and adapt to changes that are anticipated or already under way.

Parent Publication

• Forest conservation and management in the Anthropocene: Conference proceedings

Citation

Sample, V. Alaric. 2014. Introduction. In: Sample, V. Alaric; Bixler, R. Patrick, eds. Forest conservation and management in the Anthropocene: Conference proceedings. Proceedings. RMRS-P-71. Fort Collins, CO: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 1-7.