“The availability and long-term production of First Foods in the uplands throughout the ceded lands requires healthy, functional ecosystems. Healthy ecosystems maintain their full array of ecosystem services, which are the benefits supplied to society by natural ecosystems (First Foods Upland Vision, 2019).” But First Foods availability is challenged by climate change as a multiplier of existing threats to the success of these crucial species. There are many social, political, and economic barriers that threaten the health and abundance of First Foods, and these complications interact with climate change impacts in ways that often make conditions worse for First Foods and for Tribal people who depend on them.
Revised 7/5/2023