Insular ecosystem services in peril: a systematic review on the impacts of climate change and other drivers

Abstract

Islands around the world are disproportionately affected by climate change, and their adaptive capacity is generally lower than that of mainland areas. Ecosystems play a vital role in supporting the well-being of island communities; however, their response to climate change has not been thoroughly assessed. Following the PRISMA methodology, this study presents a systematic literature review that examines studies on the impacts of climate change on island ecosystem services worldwide. Our findings highlight that island ecosystem services studies are increasing over time. About 60% of studies that explicitly focused on climate impacts report adverse effects on these services, predominantly impacting marine ecosystems (including fisheries and coral reefs), with significant but less frequently studied effects on terrestrial ecosystems. Climate factors such as rising temperatures, increased sea levels, and extreme weather events are commonly associated with negative impacts on island ecosystems. These effects are intensified by the combined influence of non-climatic factors, particularly land-use changes. Although island ecosystem services hold potential for nature-based solutions towards climate mitigation, their effectiveness is limited by knowledge gaps and insufficient policy-driven adaptation strategies. Addressing these gaps is essential to support sustainable adaptation and resilience in vulnerable island communities.

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