The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity
Concept Map
Exploring the devastating impact of climate change on the environment, this content delves into the decline of Arctic sea ice and its effects on wildlife, such as polar bears and marine food webs. It also examines the consequences of rising sea levels on coastal habitats, the threats to coral reefs from warming seas and acidification, and the issues of habitat fragmentation and destruction on global biodiversity.
Summary
Outline
The Impact of Climate Change on Arctic Sea Ice and Biodiversity
Climate change, driven by human activities, is causing significant alterations to the Earth's ecosystems, with Arctic sea ice being one of the most affected areas. Satellite observations since the late 20th century have documented a stark decrease in the extent and thickness of Arctic sea ice, with an average decline rate of approximately 13% per decade relative to the 1981 to 2010 average. This loss of sea ice has severe consequences for Arctic wildlife, including iconic species like the polar bear, which relies on sea ice for essential activities such as hunting seals and finding mates. The reduction in sea ice also disrupts the life cycles of ice-dependent algae, which form the base of the Arctic marine food web, potentially leading to cascading effects throughout the ecosystem.Rising Sea Levels and Their Effects on Natural Habitats
The ongoing rise in global sea levels, primarily due to the melting of polar ice caps and the thermal expansion of seawater as it warms, is another critical issue stemming from climate change. This rise threatens to inundate coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves, salt marshes, and intertidal zones, which are vital for numerous species and provide essential ecosystem services. For example, the loss of intertidal habitats could result in the decline of migratory shorebird populations, which depend on these areas for feeding and resting during their long migrations. Additionally, rising sea levels can lead to increased salinity in estuaries and freshwater habitats, further impacting biodiversity and the benefits these ecosystems offer, including flood mitigation and water purification.Coral Reefs: Sensitive Ecosystems Under Threat
Coral reefs are highly sensitive to the impacts of climate change, particularly to increasing sea temperatures and ocean acidification, which result from higher levels of atmospheric CO2. These changes can lead to coral bleaching, where corals expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues, and can ultimately result in widespread coral death. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that if global temperatures rise by 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, 70-90% of existing coral reefs could be at risk. The Caribbean reefs, which harbor a significant proportion of the world's marine biodiversity, are especially at risk and may disappear within this century if current trends continue. The loss of coral reefs would have profound implications for marine biodiversity and the human communities that rely on them for food, income, and coastal protection.Habitat Fragmentation and Its Consequences
Habitat fragmentation, the process by which large, contiguous areas of habitat are divided into smaller, isolated sections, is predominantly caused by human land-use changes such as agriculture, logging, and urban expansion. This fragmentation can lead to a decrease in biodiversity as smaller habitat patches support fewer species, and it can disrupt the movement and genetic exchange between animal populations. Species that require large territories or specific habitats are particularly vulnerable to extinction. Fragmentation can also alter ecosystem functions and increase the likelihood of invasion by non-native species, which can outcompete native species and further reduce biodiversity.The Far-Reaching Impacts of Habitat Destruction
Habitat destruction is one of the gravest threats to global biodiversity, with far-reaching consequences for wildlife, plant life, and human societies. When natural habitats are destroyed or altered, the ability of these areas to support native species is compromised, often leading to population declines and extinctions. The effects of habitat destruction extend beyond the loss of species; they can increase the vulnerability of regions to natural disasters, reduce the productivity of ecosystems, and lead to the degradation of soil and water quality. The loss of natural habitats also affects human well-being, as it can diminish opportunities for recreation, ecotourism, and the cultural and aesthetic values that people associate with nature.
Show More
Arctic Sea Ice
Decrease in extent and thickness
Satellite observations have documented a stark decrease in the extent and thickness of Arctic sea ice
Consequences for Arctic wildlife
Impact on polar bears
The reduction in sea ice disrupts the essential activities of polar bears, such as hunting and finding mates
Disruption of ice-dependent algae
The loss of sea ice disrupts the life cycles of ice-dependent algae, which form the base of the Arctic marine food web
Cascading effects throughout the ecosystem
The reduction in sea ice can lead to cascading effects throughout the Arctic ecosystem
Rising Sea Levels
Causes of rising sea levels
The ongoing rise in global sea levels is primarily due to the melting of polar ice caps and the thermal expansion of seawater
Threats to natural habitats
Inundation of coastal ecosystems
Rising sea levels threaten to inundate coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves and salt marshes, which are vital for numerous species and provide essential ecosystem services
Increased salinity in estuaries and freshwater habitats
Rising sea levels can lead to increased salinity in estuaries and freshwater habitats, further impacting biodiversity and the benefits these ecosystems offer
Implications for migratory species
The loss of intertidal habitats due to rising sea levels could result in the decline of migratory shorebird populations
Coral Reefs
Sensitivity to climate change
Coral reefs are highly sensitive to the impacts of climate change, particularly to increasing sea temperatures and ocean acidification
Threats to coral reefs
Coral bleaching
Increasing sea temperatures and ocean acidification can lead to coral bleaching, which can result in widespread coral death
Potential extinction risk
The IPCC has warned that if global temperatures continue to rise, 70-90% of existing coral reefs could be at risk
Implications for marine biodiversity and human communities
The loss of coral reefs would have profound implications for marine biodiversity and the human communities that rely on them for food, income, and coastal protection
Habitat Destruction
Causes of habitat destruction
Habitat destruction is predominantly caused by human land-use changes such as agriculture, logging, and urban expansion
Consequences for biodiversity
Decrease in biodiversity
Habitat fragmentation can lead to a decrease in biodiversity as smaller habitat patches support fewer species
Disruption of animal populations
Fragmentation can disrupt the movement and genetic exchange between animal populations, particularly for species that require large territories or specific habitats
Implications for ecosystem functions and human well-being
Habitat destruction can alter ecosystem functions, increase the likelihood of invasion by non-native species, and negatively impact human well-being
The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity
Learn with Algor Education flashcards
Click on each Card to learn more about the topic
00
Cause of climate change impact on Arctic ecosystems
Human activities drive climate change, altering Earth's ecosystems, notably Arctic sea ice.
01
Arctic sea ice decline rate since late 20th century
Satellite data show Arctic sea ice extent and thickness decreasing by about 13% per decade since late 1900s.
02
Impact on Arctic marine food web
Loss of sea ice affects ice-dependent algae, disrupting the base of the Arctic food web, with potential ecosystem-wide effects.
