Warmup Is anyone working to reduce the effects of climate change? How can you reduce the effects of climate change? (List at least 5 efforts)

Climate Change and Biodiversity 2.6.4a Analyze how changes in global temperatures affect the biosphere (ex. Agriculture, species diversity, ecosystem balance).

Golden Toad Bufo periglenes Once abundant in the cloud-shrouded rainforests of Monteverde in Costa Rica, no one has seen one since 1989.

Harlequin Frogs About two-thirds of Central and South America's 110 harlequin frog species are believed to have vanished during the 1980s and 1990s. The primary culprit is the pathogenic chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which has been favored by global warming.

Findings from the US Climate Change Science Program Climate change is already affecting U.S. water resources, agriculture, land resources, and biodiversity, and will continue to do so.

Findings: Crops Grain and oilseed crops will mature more rapidly, but increasing temperatures will increase the risk of crop failures, particularly if precipitation decreases or becomes more variable. Horticultural crops (such as tomato, onion, and fruit) are more sensitive to climate change than grains and oilseed crops.

Findings: Livestock Higher temperatures will negatively affect livestock. – Warmer winters will reduce mortality but this will be more than offset by greater mortality in hotter summers. – Hotter temperatures will also result in reduced productivity of livestock and dairy animals.

Findings: Productivity Young forests on fertile soils will achieve higher productivity from elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations. – Nitrogen deposition and warmer temperatures will increase productivity in other types of forests where water is available. The growing season has increased by 10 to 14 days over the last 19 years across the temperate latitudes. Species’ distributions have also shifted.

Findings: Fire and Invasive Species Forests in the interior West, the Southwest, and Alaska are already being affected by climate change with – increases in the size and frequency of forest fires, – insect outbreaks and – tree mortality. Weeds grow more rapidly under elevated atmospheric CO2. – Under projections reported in the assessment, weeds migrate northward and are less sensitive to herbicide applications. Invasion by exotic grass species into arid lands will result from climate change, causing an increase fire frequency. – Rivers and riparian systems in arid lands will be negatively impacted.

Findings: Water Much of the United States has experienced higher precipitation and stream-flow, with decreased drought severity and duration, over the 20th century. The West and Southwest, however, are notable exceptions, and increased drought conditions have occurred in these regions. A continuation of the trend toward increased water use efficiency could help mitigate the impacts of climate change on water resources.

Findings: Water

Findings: Snow There is a trend toward reduced mountain snowpack and earlier spring snowmelt runoff in the Western United States. The rapid rates of warming in the Arctic observed in recent decades, and projected for at least the next century, are dramatically reducing the snow and ice covers that provide foraging habitat for polar bears.

Birds and Climate Change More is known about them – not too many ‘fish-watchers’ – ‘canaries in the coal mine’ 9787 known living species – 21% (2,055 species) are extinction prone (for a variety of reasons) habitat destruction/fragmentation impacts ~85% climate change is quickly emerging as a leading factor

Breeding is tied to seasonal events: flowering, seeds, insect emergence, etc. Being out of step with food supplies may mean the early bird doesn’t get the worm Species may be driven by different cues: – birds by photoperiod (light) – insects by temperature Being out of ecological synchrony

What makes a species extinction prone? Specialists (vs Generalist) – habitat – food – nesting requirements – restricted range Importance to humans Predators, diseases, etc.

Can’t they just move? Many species rich areas are already protected, e.g., national parks, nature preserves, etc. – If vegetation changes, habitats are lost – Where can they move to?

Ecological communities will be reshuffled As species move they may have to deal with changes in – prey – predators – competitors – parasites – diseases – habitats that are less than ideal

Case Study: Hawaiian Honeycreepers

Honeycreepers Once 29 species, now 19 due to habitat loss, disease, predators Avian malaria, one agent, pushed their distribution to altitudes where the mosquito was rare 2ºC increase will reduce habitat by 50%, 96%, and 100% in their three established refuges

Graphic Organizer Create a diagram summarizing the effects of climate change on biodiversity. You may wish to include – Pictures, – Word web, – Cause and effect chart, etc Once you finish, answer the two questions on the bottom of your page.

Activity: Ecosystem Role Cards Read the four expected impacts of climate change on your ecosystem Create a poster summarizing the impacts of climate change on your ecosystem. Ex/Humans in Small Pacific Islands… Be sure it’s colorful and creative (more than just words!)