Copenhagen nears deal on forests; USDA releases report on climate effects on ecosystems

Negotiators are finalizing a sweeping deal that would compensate countries for preserving forests, and in some cases, other natural landscapes like peat soils, swamps and fields that play a crucial role in curbing climate change. The agreement for the program, if signed as expected, may turn out to be the most significant achievement to come out of the Copenhagen climate talks, providing a system through which countries can be paid for conserving disappearing natural assets based on their contribution to reducing emissions.

MORE: USDA, in cooperation with the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and the U.S. Global Change Research Program, released "The Effects of Climate Change on U.S. Ecosystems" at the climate talks in Copenhagen, Denmark. The report identifies the effects climate is having and is expected to have on natural resources and ecosystems services in the U.S. over the next several decades.