Disruption of Habitats and Food Systems
- Climate change is not just about rising temperatures.
- It disrupts ecosystems, alters animal behaviors, and threatens food security.
Spatial Changes in Biomes
Biome
Collection of ecosystems with its habitats characterized by similar climatic conditions, such as temperature and precipitation, vegetation types, and animal communities.
Latitudinal and Altitudinal Shifts in Ecosystems and Changing Vegetation Zones
- Biomes are shifting poleward and to higher altitudes as temperatures rise.
Warmer temperatures allow tree lines to move northward, reducing habitats for cold-adapted species like Arctic foxes.
Coral Bleaching Due to Ocean Warming and Acidification
- Coral reefs are susceptible to temperature changes and ocean acidification.
- Warming waters cause corals to expel the algae that provide them with food and color, leading to bleaching.
The Great Barrier Reef has experienced severe bleaching events, with up to 50% of its corals affected in recent years.
- Ocean acidification, driven by increased CO₂ absorption, weakens coral skeletons, further threatening these ecosystems.
Think of coral reefs as underwater cities. When they bleach, it's like a city losing its infrastructure, leaving its inhabitants without shelter or resources.
Animal Migration Patterns
Disrupted Breeding Cycles and Habitat Loss
- Climate change alters migration and breeding patterns, affecting biodiversity.
- Earlier springs cause mismatches between animal behaviors and environmental cues.
Birds may arrive at breeding grounds before food sources are available.
- Habitat loss exacerbates these challenges.
Melting sea ice reduces hunting grounds for polar bears, forcing them to spend more time on land, where food is scarce.
Do not assume all species can adapt or migrate. Many are highly specialized and cannot survive outside their current habitats. For others some changes may be too fast not allowing them to adapt.
Agriculture
Crop Yield Changes Due to Altered Rainfall Patterns
- Climate change affects rainfall distribution, leading to droughts in some areas and flooding in others.
- These changes impact crop yields and food security.
Some regions may benefit from longer growing seasons, but these gains are often offset by extreme weather events.
Soil Degradation from Erosion and Salinization in Arid Regions
- Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall accelerate soil degradation.
- Erosion strips away fertile topsoil, while salinization (buildup of salts in soil) reduces arable land.
In Australia, prolonged droughts and irrigation practices have led to widespread salinization, reducing agricultural productivity.
To combat soil degradation, consider sustainable practices like crop rotation, cover cropping, and reduced tillage.
Why Does This Matter?
- The disruption of habitats and food systems has cascading effects on ecosystems and human societies.
- Biodiversity loss weakens ecosystem resilience, while food insecurity exacerbates social and economic inequalities.
- How should we balance economic development with the need to protect ecosystems?
- What ethical considerations arise when prioritizing human needs over biodiversity?
