How Does Climate Change Affect Animals and Plants?

Understanding Climate Change

Climate change means big, lasting shifts in temperature, rainfall, and other weather patterns. Human actions, like burning coal and cutting down trees, have increased greenhouse gases in the air. This has caused the Earth's temperature to rise by about 1.1°C since the late 1800s. This warmer climate changes environments for animals and plants all over the world.

How Climate Change Affects Ecosystems

1. Temperature Changes:

   • Many animals and plants need certain temperature ranges to survive. For example, coral reefs only cover a tiny part of the ocean floor, but they are home to more than 25% of marine life. When ocean temperatures rise, it can cause coral to bleach, which threatens around 30% of ocean species.

2. Shifting Homes:

   • As it gets warmer, habitats like forests, tundras, and wetlands are moving to new places. Research shows that if the temperature rises more than 2°C, about half of all species could face extinction by 2100.

3. Timing Changes:

   • Climate change can change when plants and animals do certain activities. For instance, flowers might bloom and birds might migrate earlier in spring, which can mess up the timing between plants and their pollinators. Studies indicate that 44% of plants in cooler areas are blooming about 5 days earlier every decade.

How Species Adapt

To survive in changing conditions, species need to adapt. They can do this in several ways:

1. Genetic Changes:

   • Over time, populations can evolve with natural selection. A study on 30 types of birds found that those living in warmer areas are getting smaller by about 1.4% each decade. This fits with the idea that animals in cooler places tend to be larger.

2. Changing Behaviors:

   • Animals might change their behavior to adapt to new climates. For example, migrating birds could decide to start nesting or changing their movement patterns earlier or later based on food availability and temperatures.

3. Body Changes:

   • Some animals can change their bodies to cope with heat. For instance, lizards in hotter areas have learned to handle higher body temperatures, which helps them remain active and reproduce, even as temperatures rise.

Long-Term Effects

1. New Species:

   • Climate change can create geographic barriers that lead to the development of new species. For instance, the Hawaiian honeycreepers have split into many different species that adapt to various environments across the islands.

2. Fewer Species:

   • Climate change can cause many species to go extinct, reducing the variety of life. Reports suggest that ongoing climate change could reduce biodiversity by 10-30% in many ecosystems, making them less resilient.

Conclusion

Climate change demands quick adaptation from species, or they risk extinction. The relationship between changes in climate and how species adapt is key to a healthy ecosystem. Strategies like cutting down greenhouse gas emissions and protecting important habitats are essential for keeping our planet's wildlife thriving and ecosystems strong.