Climate change (CC) is one of the biggest risks to our planet. It is characterised by catastrophic effects including accelerating sea level rise, droughts, floods, storms and heat waves. These adversely impact plants and animals in the following ways:
Effect on animals:
(1) Melting arctic ice removes hunting ground from polar bears.
(2) Warmer water temperatures will cause fish population to decline as many species like salmon, trout require cold water to survive
(3) CC results in coral bleaching leading to a collapse of these ecosystems which sustain huge numbers of fish.
(4) Rising sea level and changes in salinity could decimate mangrove forests, leaving many species without a habitat.
(5) CC also results in loss of habitat for species that use beaches to lay eggs and raise their young. E.g. Turtles and seals.
(4) Floods and severe drought can sound a death knell to ecosystems. While floods degrade water quality, droughts can deprive animals of food, shelter and water.
(5) CC can altered food availability for migratory species. These birds arrive on schedule to find their food sources, insects, seeds, flowering plants, have hatched or bloomed too early or not at all. This results in change of migratory and behavioural pattern of such birds.
(7) Rising temperature can causes animals to shift to a higher altitudes, thus affecting the distribution of species. Species which cannot quickly adapt to the changes on account this shift perish. E.g. the American Pika.
(1) Melting arctic ice removes hunting ground from polar bears.
(2) Warmer water temperatures will cause fish population to decline as many species like salmon, trout require cold water to survive
(3) CC results in coral bleaching leading to a collapse of these ecosystems which sustain huge numbers of fish.
(4) Rising sea level and changes in salinity could decimate mangrove forests, leaving many species without a habitat.
(5) CC also results in loss of habitat for species that use beaches to lay eggs and raise their young. E.g. Turtles and seals.
(4) Floods and severe drought can sound a death knell to ecosystems. While floods degrade water quality, droughts can deprive animals of food, shelter and water.
(5) CC can altered food availability for migratory species. These birds arrive on schedule to find their food sources, insects, seeds, flowering plants, have hatched or bloomed too early or not at all. This results in change of migratory and behavioural pattern of such birds.
(7) Rising temperature can causes animals to shift to a higher altitudes, thus affecting the distribution of species. Species which cannot quickly adapt to the changes on account this shift perish. E.g. the American Pika.
Effect on plants:
(1) Increased forest fires.
(2) Increased invasion by alien species may occur.
(3) Plant genetic composition may change in response to the selection pressure of climate change.
(4) Certain plant species which are endemic to the Arctic and coastal region will be completely destroyed.
(1) Increased forest fires.
(2) Increased invasion by alien species may occur.
(3) Plant genetic composition may change in response to the selection pressure of climate change.
(4) Certain plant species which are endemic to the Arctic and coastal region will be completely destroyed.
Therefore, the combined effect of CC will affect the rich biodiversity of our planet.
-vk
Ans2:
every life form has a comfort zone with in which only it can survive. when this is altered the life become impossible. Alteration in climate triggers many challenges as follows.
1. rise in temperature.
it may drive certain species into extinction. this is more common in oceanic and tundra eco systems. the migrating birds would face challenges.
it may drive certain species into extinction. this is more common in oceanic and tundra eco systems. the migrating birds would face challenges.
2. abrupt rain busters and droughts-
it may effect plant and animal life adversely.
it may effect plant and animal life adversely.
3. rise in sea levels
This would engulf small islands where distinct species may lose their habitat
This would engulf small islands where distinct species may lose their habitat
4. coral extinction-
it may be resulted due to delicacy of coral reefs. this may have an adverse impact on entire oceanic life pattern.
it may be resulted due to delicacy of coral reefs. this may have an adverse impact on entire oceanic life pattern.
5. key species may be lost-
it is when key species are lost, entire ecology would be at risk.
it is when key species are lost, entire ecology would be at risk.
6. activation of new pathogens-
like ebola, pandora virus would result into new diseases.
like ebola, pandora virus would result into new diseases.
7. natural disasters-
the incidence of floods, flash floods would claim more lives. their incidence is linked to climate change.
the incidence of floods, flash floods would claim more lives. their incidence is linked to climate change.
8. melting glaciers
this would result into extinction of specific eco systems like himalayan ecosystems.
this would result into extinction of specific eco systems like himalayan ecosystems.
thus change in climate is the biggest challenge that entire planet is facing today. unfortunately human contribution has a major chunk here in this case. hence it is high time to act upon this challenge. we "all together" should act in this regard.
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