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Impact of Climate Change on Global Ecosystems and Wildlife

GOOVER DAILY REPORT August 6, 2024
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Summary
  2. Climate Change and Ecosystem Alterations
  3. Habitat Loss and Biodiversity Threats
  4. Regional Impacts and Extreme Weather Events
  5. Case Studies: Species at Risk
  6. Conclusion

1. Summary

  • The report, titled 'Impact of Climate Change on Global Ecosystems and Wildlife,' comprehensively examines the detrimental effects of climate change on ecosystems and wildlife. It details the shifts in species distribution, habitat loss, and resulting ecological imbalances. Key findings highlight the forced migration of species to higher altitudes and latitudes and the timing changes in biological events, all of which heighten extinction risks and disrupt food webs. Additionally, it explores the increased frequency of extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and their impacts on habitats and coastal cities. Regional case studies, such as those on the North Atlantic right whale, polar bear, and various fish species, illustrate the diverse and far-reaching consequences. The report underscores the urgent need for global protective measures to safeguard biodiversity and maintain ecological balance.

2. Climate Change and Ecosystem Alterations

  • 2-1. Global Temperature Rise and Its Ecological Impacts

  • Climate change is significantly altering ecosystems around the world. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), rising temperatures are forcing many species to migrate to higher latitudes or elevations to find suitable climates for survival. This shift has been observed across various species including North American plants and animals which have moved to higher elevations at a median rate of 36 feet per decade and to higher latitudes at a median rate of 10.5 miles per decade. These migrations can lead to local extinctions particularly in sensitive regions like mountain and arctic ecosystems. Furthermore, warming waters are causing coldwater fish such as trout and salmon to lose significant portions of their habitats. Projected warming trends may lead to a 47% habitat loss for coldwater fish by 2080.

  • 2-2. Species Distribution and Altered Biological Events

  • As climates change, the timing of key life cycle events for many species is also shifting. This phenomenon was notably reported by the EPA, citing earlier nesting times for 28 migratory bird species on the East Coast of the United States, and Northeastern birds returning from the southern United States 13 days earlier in the spring compared to a century ago. Additionally, 16 out of 23 butterfly species in California have similarly altered their migration timings. Such changes can result in asynchronies where species arrive in habitats at times that are misaligned with food availability, leading to increased species and ecosystem vulnerability.

  • 2-3. Food Web Disruptions and Extinctions

  • Climate change is disrupting food webs and increasing extinction risks. According to the EPA, decreases in sea ice affect the entire Arctic food web, from ice algae to Arctic cod and, consequently, to polar bears. Similarly, a study published in the journal Biological Conservation highlighted that many species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act are highly sensitive to the effects of climate change. These disruptions also affect other regions; for instance, the decline in salmon populations due to warming rivers has been substantial, with events like the near-total egg mortality of winter-run Chinook salmon in the Sacramento River serving as a stark example. The EPA emphasizes that such disruptions can lead to cascading effects through ecosystems, increasing extinction risks as up to 60 percent of global species may face extinction if climate change continues at the projected rates.

3. Habitat Loss and Biodiversity Threats

  • 3-1. Shrinking habitats and compromised animal health

  • Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns have led to shrinking habitats for many species, forcing them to relocate or face the threat of extinction. For example, salmon in North America are increasingly unable to reproduce due to higher water temperatures and reduced water flow. Invasive species, thriving in new climate conditions, are encroaching on native species, further reducing biodiversity. Many animals, such as the American pika, are highly sensitive to temperature changes and are losing their habitats at lower elevations, while some are managing to retreat to higher elevations.

  • 3-2. Phenological mismatches and migration shifts

  • Climate change is causing significant shifts in the timing of biological events. Species are experiencing phenological mismatches where their life cycle events, like migration and breeding, do not align with food availability, making survival more difficult. For instance, snowshoe hares are facing higher predation risks because their white fur, which was historically camouflaged by snow, now stands out against snowless grounds. Migratory birds are also arriving in nesting areas where food supplies have already been depleted due to mismatched timing.

  • 3-3. Invasive species and native biodiversity threats

  • As climates warm, invasive species are becoming a major threat to native biodiversity. These include nonnative plants, animals, and pathogens that outperform and outcompete native species in the altered environments. For example, the warming of waters has allowed oyster parasites to extend their range northward, causing significant die-offs in areas like Maine. This competition from invasive species heightens the vulnerability of native species already struggling with the direct impacts of climate change, such as altered habitats and food webs.

4. Regional Impacts and Extreme Weather Events

  • 4-1. Increased Heat Waves, Droughts, and Wildfires

  • Climate change has led to increasingly frequent and intense heat waves. Higher average temperatures contribute to severe and pervasive droughts, as evidenced by the 'megadrought' in the American West, the driest 22-year stretch in at least 1,200 years. Additionally, this hotter, drier climate fuels more aggressive wildfires, which have more than doubled in number in the western United States between 1984 and 2015. In California alone, the annual area burned by wildfires increased by 500% between 1972 and 2018. These conditions jeopardize human lives, homes, and ecosystems.

  • 4-2. Rising Sea Levels and Flooding

  • Melting sea ice and glaciers, coupled with the thermal expansion of seawater, have resulted in rising sea levels, a phenomenon anticipated to elevate global sea levels by up to 6.6 feet by the end of the century. The United States is projected to see a one-foot rise in sea levels by 2050, which will damage critical infrastructure, including roads, sewage treatment plants, and power plants. This encroaching seawater erodes coastal ecosystems and contaminates freshwater aquifers, essential for agriculture and drinking water.

  • 4-3. Effects on Coastal Cities and Agriculture

  • Rising sea levels pose significant risks to coastal cities by inundating low-lying areas and causing frequent flooding. This will adversely affect infrastructure and the economy in regions densely populated, such as New York City and Mumbai. Coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion into farmland compromise agricultural productivity. Unpredictable growing seasons and increased frequency of severe weather events complicate farming and livestock rearing, leading to significant food production challenges. Furthermore, extreme weather events like hurricanes can wipe out entire crops, exacerbating global food insecurity.

5. Case Studies: Species at Risk

  • 5-1. North Atlantic right whale

  • The North Atlantic right whale is critically endangered, with an estimated 336 individuals remaining, the lowest count in 20 years. The primary threats to this species include warming ocean temperatures and human-related activities such as vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. These factors significantly contribute to the risk of extinction for the North Atlantic right whale.

  • 5-2. Polar and Adélie penguins

  • The populations of Polar and Adélie penguins are being heavily impacted by climate change. The Adélie penguin population has decreased by 22% over the past 25 years due to a 7–9°F increase in midwinter temperatures on the western Antarctic Peninsula, resulting in a loss of sea ice habitat. In contrast, the population of Chinstrap penguins, which prefer open water, has increased by approximately 400% over the same period, illustrating disparate impacts of climate change within the same ecosystem.

  • 5-3. Trout and salmon

  • Trout and salmon species are experiencing significant habitat loss due to increasing water temperatures. Projections indicate that up to 47% of coldwater fish habitats could be lost by 2080. Specific regions in the western United States could see losses exceeding 60% for western trout populations and about 90% for bull trout populations. These changes threaten the survival of these species and disrupt local ecosystems.

6. Conclusion

  • The findings in this report on the impact of climate change on ecosystems and wildlife highlight several critical issues. Significant shifts in species distribution, habitat loss, and increased competition are leading to higher extinction risks. Phenological mismatches are causing survival challenges as species' life cycle events no longer align with food availability. The report emphasizes the profound consequence of disrupted ecosystems, particularly illustrated through examples like the decreasing population of the North Atlantic right whale and the habitat disruption faced by polar bears. The limitations include the variable data quality across regions and species, reminding us that more robust, localized studies are needed. Going forward, it is essential to implement sustainable environmental practices and global protective measures to mitigate these impacts. Future research and interventions should focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering ecosystem resilience. These efforts are vital not only for the preservation of wildlife but also for the stabilization of global ecosystems, supporting human well-being and environmental health.

7. Glossary

  • 7-1. Ecosystem [Concept]

  • An ecosystem is a community of living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment, interacting as a system. Changes in climate disrupt these systems and jeopardize their ability to support life.

  • 7-2. North Atlantic right whale [Species]

  • A critically endangered species facing significant threats from climate change, habitat loss, and increased human-wildlife conflict. Conservation efforts are vital to its survival.

  • 7-3. Polar bear [Species]

  • An iconic species affected by melting polar ice, threatening its survival by disrupting its hunting grounds and prey availability.

  • 7-4. Phenological mismatches [Concept]

  • These occur when climate change causes a misalignment in the timing of biological events, affecting species interactions and survival rates.

  • 7-5. Greenhouse gases [Concept]

  • These are gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Major greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide and methane.

8. Source Documents