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Ecosystem Stress

Any degradation to the structure or function of an ecosystem, including the well–being of current and future generations of humans, is a form of ecosystem stress .

Photo of a drainage pipe pouring liquid into a creek

NCCOS focuses its research on five ecosystem stressors: climate change , extreme natural events, pollution, invasive species, and land and resource use .

These forms of environmental degradation are called "ecosystem" stressors rather than "environmental" stressors because they can be influenced by, and have profound sociocultural and economic consequences for, human and social welfare.