Climate change has a big effect on how species evolve. This happens through a process called natural selection, which is when some traits help some animals or plants survive better than others. Here are some important factors to think about:
Temperature Changes: Since the late 1800s, the Earth's temperature has gone up by about 1.1°C. This rise in temperature changes where animals and plants can live, often pushing them to move to new places. For example, amphibians like frogs and salamanders are struggling, and some have seen their populations drop by up to 30% because their homes are getting ruined by climate change.
Ocean Water Changes: Since the Industrial Revolution, our oceans have taken in about 30% of the carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air. This has made ocean water more acidic, dropping its pH level by 0.1. This change harms sea life, especially corals, leading to fewer animals and plants overall in the oceans.
Changes in Nature's Schedule: Over the last 50 years, seasons have started to change. For instance, some plants are blooming 5 to 15 days earlier than they used to. This shift can mess up the relationships between different species that rely on each other to survive, like bees and the flowers they pollinate.
Genetic Changes: Stress from climate change can cause more mutations in species. These changes can help species adapt to their new environments, or they might lead to extinction if the species can't keep up.
Understanding these factors helps us see how climate change is reshaping life on Earth.
Climate change has a big effect on how species evolve. This happens through a process called natural selection, which is when some traits help some animals or plants survive better than others. Here are some important factors to think about:
Temperature Changes: Since the late 1800s, the Earth's temperature has gone up by about 1.1°C. This rise in temperature changes where animals and plants can live, often pushing them to move to new places. For example, amphibians like frogs and salamanders are struggling, and some have seen their populations drop by up to 30% because their homes are getting ruined by climate change.
Ocean Water Changes: Since the Industrial Revolution, our oceans have taken in about 30% of the carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air. This has made ocean water more acidic, dropping its pH level by 0.1. This change harms sea life, especially corals, leading to fewer animals and plants overall in the oceans.
Changes in Nature's Schedule: Over the last 50 years, seasons have started to change. For instance, some plants are blooming 5 to 15 days earlier than they used to. This shift can mess up the relationships between different species that rely on each other to survive, like bees and the flowers they pollinate.
Genetic Changes: Stress from climate change can cause more mutations in species. These changes can help species adapt to their new environments, or they might lead to extinction if the species can't keep up.
Understanding these factors helps us see how climate change is reshaping life on Earth.