The effects of climate change on biodiversity

How does Global Warming affect biodiversity?

Thinning Ice, Rising Seas: Artic Sea Ice is shrinking.

Melting Glaciers ex: (Glacier National Park)

Most of the global warming is going to the ocean where a lot of ecosystem changes.

Antarctic and high latitudes have had the highest rates of warming

What happens to biodiversity when there are erratic weather patterns?

Crops being destroyed by a drought or serious weather.

Coral Bleaching: Heat trigger

As the oceans warm, scientists predict that hurricane intensity could increase.

Devastating heat waves: In 1995, Chicago suffered a heat wave that killed more than 700 people

What happens with biodiversity when the CO2 level goes up?

A tiny sand grain-sized plankton responsible for the sequestration of 25–50% of the carbon the oceans absorb.

Acidifying oceans

Some marine creatures are growing thinner shells or skeletons

Causes a rise in earths temperature

How does biodiversity affect plant and aminal cycles?

Many habitats are disappearing

Some North American animals and plants are moving farther north or to higher elevations to find suitable places to live.

As temperatures get warmer, many plants are starting to grow and bloom earlier in the spring and survive longer into the fall.

Some species are already responding to a warmer climate by moving to cooler locations.