Climate Change and Biological Impacts__

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School

Towson University *

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Course

191

Subject

Geography

Date

Oct 30, 2023

Type

pdf

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Uploaded by KidOpossumPerson257

**Climate Change and Biological Impacts** Climate change, driven primarily by the unprecedented rise in anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, has been heralded as one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century. Its effects ripple across the physical environment, but it also bears significant implications for biological systems. Here's a look at how climate change interacts with the realm of the living: **Shifts in Habitats and Range** 1. **Poleward Movement**: Many species, particularly those in temperate zones, are moving poleward to cooler areas as their traditional habitats become inhospitably warm. 2. **Altitudinal Shift**: In mountainous regions, species migrate to higher altitudes in search of cooler temperatures, leading to compressed habitat zones and increased competition. **Phenological Changes** Phenology is the study of cyclical and seasonal natural phenomena in relation to climate. Climate change has disrupted these patterns, including: 1. **Early Springs**: Many species now experience earlier springs, causing premature blooms in plants and early migrations in animals. 2. **Breeding Patterns**: Changes in temperature and food availability have affected breeding seasons for many animals, potentially causing mismatches between the timing of birth and the availability of essential resources. **Coral Bleaching** Rising sea temperatures and increased ocean acidification (due to higher atmospheric CO2 levels) are severely affecting coral reefs. Warm waters cause corals to expel the symbiotic algae living within them, leading to a phenomenon known as coral bleaching. This not only whitens the corals but also impairs their ability to get essential nutrients. **Melting Polar Habitats** Melting ice caps and shrinking glaciers are eroding polar habitats. Iconic species like polar bears, who rely on sea ice to hunt for seals, face dwindling hunting grounds, leading to malnutrition and reduced reproduction rates. **Ocean Acidification** The ocean acts as a carbon sink, absorbing large amounts of CO2. This absorption increases ocean acidity, affecting marine life, especially organisms relying on calcium carbonate for their shells and skeletons, like mollusks and some plankton species. **Reduced Genetic Diversity**

Extreme weather events or rapid environmental changes can lead to sudden, massive die-offs, reducing populations to small numbers. These 'bottleneck' events can diminish genetic diversity, making species more susceptible to diseases and further environmental changes. **Changes in Food Webs** The impacts on individual species can reverberate through ecosystems. Changes in one species' behavior or numbers can affect the species that rely on them for food or other ecological functions, leading to cascading effects through food webs. **Conclusion** The biological impacts of climate change are diverse, profound, and interconnected. They paint a picture of ecosystems in flux, with many species struggling to adapt to the rapid changes. This underscores the need for immediate and concerted efforts not only to mitigate the drivers of climate change but also to protect and conserve the delicate balance of our planet's biodiversity.

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