Climate change

Definition

Climate change refers to significant alterations in temperature, precipitation, and other atmospheric conditions over extended periods. This phenomenon is often driven by human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, leading to increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and global warming, which can impact ecosystems and biodiversity.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Climate change can lead to shifts in biomes, causing species to adapt, migrate, or face extinction as their habitats alter.
2. It has been linked to the expansion of species ranges toward cooler areas as temperatures rise, causing disruptions in local ecosystems.
3. Background extinction rates may increase as climate change alters habitats more rapidly than species can adapt or relocate.
4. Mass extinctions throughout Earth's history have often coincided with significant climatic shifts that disrupted existing ecosystems and species distributions.
5. Biodiversity hotspots are particularly vulnerable to climate change, as these areas contain high levels of endemic species that may not be able to survive changing conditions.

Review Questions

• How does climate change impact biogeographical patterns of species across different ecosystems?
  • Climate change significantly influences biogeographical patterns by altering temperature and precipitation regimes, which can shift the distribution of species. As certain areas become too hot or dry for some organisms, they may move toward cooler regions. This can lead to changes in community composition and interactions among species, ultimately reshaping ecosystems. Additionally, this migration can cause competition with native species and disrupt established ecological balances.
• Discuss the relationship between climate change and mass extinctions in Earth's history.
  • Climate change has played a critical role in several mass extinction events throughout Earth's history by dramatically altering habitats and creating unsuitable conditions for many species. For instance, during periods of rapid warming or cooling, many organisms failed to adapt quickly enough to survive. This historical context helps us understand current biodiversity crises, as today’s climate change is occurring at an unprecedented rate, threatening countless species that may not have time to evolve or migrate.
• Evaluate the implications of climate change on biodiversity hotspots and the potential for species reintroduction efforts.
  • Climate change poses severe threats to biodiversity hotspots due to their unique ecosystems and high levels of endemism. As habitats change rapidly, many species within these hotspots may face extinction if they cannot adapt or migrate. This complicates species reintroduction efforts since suitable environments for reintroduced species may no longer exist within their historical ranges. Conservation strategies must incorporate climate projections to ensure that reintroduction programs are successful in a changing world.

Related terms

Greenhouse Effect: A natural process where certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat, keeping the planet warm enough to support life. Human activities have enhanced this effect, contributing to climate change.

Ecosystem Resilience: The ability of an ecosystem to withstand disturbances or changes, including those brought about by climate change, and to recover from them effectively.

Carbon Footprint: The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, or product, often measured in carbon dioxide equivalents.