southeast interactions: biodiversity, ecology & climate change
Post on 18-Dec-2014
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Climate Change ConceptsClimate Change Concepts
Climate change is a long-term alteration Climate change is a long-term alteration to characteristic weather conditions to characteristic weather conditions
The most recent warming period The most recent warming period occurred 5,000 to 9,000 years ago during the occurred 5,000 to 9,000 years ago during the Holocene Epoch as Pleistocene glaciations ended.Holocene Epoch as Pleistocene glaciations ended.
Greenhouse gases Greenhouse gases create a "greenhouse effect," create a "greenhouse effect," warming the planet much as a warming the planet much as a greenhouse traps heat from greenhouse traps heat from the sun the sun
Topics and resources related to the interaction Topics and resources related to the interaction between climate and biological systems between climate and biological systems Topics and resources related to the interaction Topics and resources related to the interaction between climate and biological systems between climate and biological systems
Climate Change ImpactsClimate Change ImpactsClimate Change ImpactsClimate Change Impacts
Changes in Plant and Animal Changes in Plant and Animal Distributions and Natural CyclesDistributions and Natural Cycles
Seasonal migrations and patterns Seasonal migrations and patterns are impacted by temperature changes are impacted by temperature changes
Invasive species expand their range Invasive species expand their range
as winters become milderas winters become milder
Rising temperatures Rising temperatures change species change species communities and diversitycommunities and diversity
Wetlands and habitat Wetlands and habitat for aquatic organisms decreases for aquatic organisms decreases during periods of prolonged droughtduring periods of prolonged drought
Changes in Pests and Pathogens Changes in Pests and Pathogens
More insect pests More insect pests survive shorter, milder winters survive shorter, milder winters
Warmer climates Warmer climates create favorable conditions for create favorable conditions for insects and human diseases carried by insectsinsects and human diseases carried by insects
Greater numbers of insects Greater numbers of insects damage crops and damage crops and spread disease spread disease
Changes in Particularly Changes in Particularly Sensitive Ecosystems Sensitive Ecosystems
Higher air temperaturesHigher air temperatures result in more ground- result in more ground-level ozone formation, damaging sensitive level ozone formation, damaging sensitive plant communitiesplant communities
High-altitude ecosystems High-altitude ecosystems become warmer, causing extinction of rare speciesbecome warmer, causing extinction of rare species
Trout habitat is lost Trout habitat is lost due to rising stream temperatures due to rising stream temperatures
Changes to Ecosystem Services Changes to Ecosystem Services
Prolonged drought Prolonged drought increases water quality increases water quality stresses stresses
Changes to the water cycle Changes to the water cycle brew intense stormsbrew intense storms
Wildfires are more frequentWildfires are more frequent during during prolonged periods of droughtprolonged periods of drought
Forest fires burn more intensely Forest fires burn more intensely as evaporation as evaporation increases and forests dryincreases and forests dry
Forage quality is altered Forage quality is altered as plant communities as plant communities change under elevated carbon dioxide levelschange under elevated carbon dioxide levels
Climate Change ImpactsClimate Change Impacts• The potential impacts of
climate change are diverse
• Some climate impacts are already apparent
• Other impacts are predicted to occur as Earth's climate continues to change
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