CLIMATE CHANGE ON ECOSYSTEMS.

CLIMATE CHANGE ON ECOSYSTEMS.

Climate is an important environmental influence on ecosystems. 

Changing climate affects ecosystems in a variety of ways. For instance, warming may force species to migrate to higher latitudes or higher elevations where temperatures are more conducive to their survival. 

Similarly, as sea level rises, saltwater intrusion into a freshwater system may force some key species to relocate or die, thus removing predators or prey that are critical in the existing food chain.

   Photo courtsey of google ecosystems.

Climate change not only affects ecosystems and species directly, it also interacts with other human stressors such as development. 

Although some stressors cause only minor impacts when acting alone, their cumulative impact may lead to dramatic ecological changes.For instance, climate change may exacerbate the stress that land development places on fragile coastal areas. 

Additionally, recently logged forested areas may become vulnerable to erosion if climate change leads to increases in heavy rain storms.

CHANGES IN THE TIMING OF SEASONAL LIFE CYCLE EVENTS.

For many species, the climate where they live or spend part of the year influences key stages of their annual life cycle, such as migration, blooming, and reproduction. 

As winters have become shorter and milder, the timing of these events has changed in some parts of the country.

FOOD WEB DISRUPTIONS.

The impact of climate change on a particular species can ripple through a food web and affect a wide range of other organisms.

    Photo courtsey of google.

RANGE SHIFTS.

As temperatures increase, the habitat ranges of many North American species are moving north and to higher elevations. In recent decades, in both land and aquatic environments, plants and animals have moved to higher elevations at a median rate.

BUFFER AND THRESHOLD EFFECT.

Ecosystems can serve as natural buffers from extreme events such as wildfires, flooding, and drought. 

 Climate change and human modification may restrict ecosystems’ ability to temper the impacts of extreme conditions, and thus may increase vulnerability to damage. 

PATHOGENS, PARASITES AND DISEASE.

Climate change and shifts in ecological conditions could support the spread of pathogens, parasites, and diseases, with potentially serious effects on human health, agriculture, and fisheries. 

EXTINCTION RISKS.

Climate change, along with habitat destruction and pollution, is one of the important stressors that can contribute to species extinction. 

Global rates of species extinctions are likely to approach or exceed the upper limit of observed natural rates of extinction in the fossil record.