1. Global Warming Ecosystem Response Migration Goddard High School
Nature has always had to adapt to changing climate conditions. But the fear is that the changes currently under way are simply too rapid for species to evolve new strategies for survival.
Goddard High School

2. Migration
Global Warming has caused migration of plants and animals to cooler climates
Those most susceptible to migration problems:
Geographically localized species
Highly specialized species
Species living on the edge of their range
Poor dispersing species
Specialized=feed on only one thing

3. Plant Migration
If the Earth warms 2 deg. C in the next 100 years, plants will have to migrate at a rate of 2 mi. per year
That rate is more than 5 times higher than migration rates due to climate change before human influence
The projected warming leads scientists to believe that plants will have to migrate more than 5 times faster than they have before due to climate change that wasn’t a result of human activity

4. Plant Migration May result in loss of biodiversity
Need for “highly mobile and opportunistic” species
especially a problem for “nut-bearing” plants or those that spread seeds by wind
Plants will have to migrate 5 times faster than in natural warming from the past

5. Plant Migration Possible Benefits:
Increase in CO2 is a positive feedback mechanism
Some scientists argue that the increase in CO2 will cause plants to thrive overall, thus reversing the effect

6. Animal Migration: Birds
Numerous studies of 103 bird species have shown that these birds have been arriving earlier in the second half of the 20th century than they did in the first
Chiffchaff- numerous studies

7. Animal Migration: Fish
Mainly a problem for freshwater fish
temperature in water of lakes and streams raises
freshwater fish (attempt to) migrate to cooler waters
Examples: Trout and Salmon
Freshwater because sea water pretty much constant

8. Animal Migration: Red Fox
The Red Fox, originally inhabiting North America and Eurasia, is now migrating north into the territory of the Arctic Fox due to warming.
When competing for resources the Red Fox usually wins, endangering the survival of the Arctic Fox
Most threatening right now

9. Why is Migration a Problem?
Many have nowhere to migrate
Many cannot migrate fast enough
Migration will cause increase of invasive species

10. Many Have Nowhere to Migrate
Draining of wetlands, deforestation, and development of coastlines leaves limited options for migration
draining of wetlands, deforestation, and development of coastlines