Abstract

This review of recent advances in biosphere research aims to provide information on selected issues related to changes in biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, social and economic interactions with ecosystems, and the impacts of climate change on the biosphere. We highlight advances on nine themes that have been recently published in peer-reviewed journals that are gaining importance in the scientific community and have the potential to guide future actions as well as inspire future research questions. Our focus is on the interactions between climate, biosphere and society, and on strategies to sustain, restore or promote ecosystems and their services. While mitigating climate change is expected to reduce many risks and associated costs, rapid emission reductions are also crucial to secure various co-benefits of ecosystems, such as coastal protection or stabilization of regional hydrological cycles. In this context, conservation measures implemented in cooperation with local actors are key to efficient resource allocation. At the same time, holistic action frameworks at the global level are required to guide and support such efforts.