Summary Climate Change and its Impact on Ecosystems
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Course
Unit 4 BIOL4 - Populations and environment
Institution
AQA
Global ecosystems are being severely impacted by climate change, which is mostly being caused by human activity like deforestation and the combustion of fossil fuels. Beyond just increasing temperatures, climate change has an impact on ecosystem structure, biodiversity, and the services that ecosys...
Climate Change and its Impact on Ecosystems
Deforestation and the combustion of fossil fuels are the main human-caused causes of
climate change, which is drastically altering the global environmental landscape and having
an impact on ecosystems. The various implications of climate change on ecosystems are
examined in this essay, including changes in temperature, extreme weather, sea level rise,
ocean acidification, altered precipitation patterns, and their cumulative consequences on
biodiversity.
Repercussions on ecosystems:
Variations in Temperature: The effects of rising global temperatures on ecosystems are
extensive. Distribution and behaviour of the species are greatly impacted, and normal
processes like migration and blossoming may be interfered with. Extreme Weather Events:
Ecosystems are directly threatened by the increased frequency and severity of extreme
weather events, such as hurricanes, droughts, and floods. Loss of biodiversity and
degradation of habitats become inescapable outcomes. Sea Level Rise: Coastal ecosystems
are put at risk by increasing sea levels brought on by the melting of ice caps and glaciers.
Many species that depend on these delicate habitats are severely impacted by the ensuing
habitat loss. Ocean Acidification: The oceans become more acidic as a result of absorbing
extra carbon dioxide. Ocean acidification is a phenomena that is causing major harm to
marine ecosystems, particularly to animals that make shells and coral reefs.
Modifications to Rainfall Patterns: Modified rainfall patterns cause ecological disturbances
that impact the availability of water. Expanding deserts could have an effect on dry
ecosystems, and more rainfall could cause flooding in some places, which would make it
harder for the native flora and fauna to adapt.
Climate change poses a significant risk to biodiversity, offering significant obstacles to the
complex network of life. Disruption of habitat is one of the main effects, as animals struggle
to quickly relocate or adapt to changing environmental conditions. Significant changes in
ecosystems may result from this turmoil, which would impact resource availability and upset
long-standing ecological interactions. Another important aspect is the increased rate of
species extinctions, which emphasizes the difficulty many organisms have in rapidly adapting
to the changing environment. The delicate balance of biodiversity is in danger due to this
increased risk of extinction, which can also have a domino impact on entire ecosystems.
Moreover, modified environmental circumstances benefit some species more than others,
causing changes in the ecosystems' makeup. The urgency for international efforts to reduce
and adapt to the effects of climate change is increased by the possibility that these changes,
which are caused by variations in the climate, may have a significant and long-lasting
influence on ecosystem stability and variety.
Developing successful methods to minimize the impact of climate change requires an
understanding of the complex link between ecosystems and climate change. In order to
sustainably live with human activities and the delicate balance of the natural world,
mitigation and adaptation strategies must be actively pursued in order to preserve
biodiversity and the health of Earth's ecosystems.
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