Biogeography and Future Environmental Change

Question 1

What will happen to Boreal forests as climate grows warmer?

Answer 1

Boreal forests grow Northwards, the tundra will warm up as a result of this and tree line will grow further north, causing the tundra to release massive amounts of carbon.

Question 2

What are the drivers of future environmental change?

Answer 2

• Human population growth
• Urbanisation
• Deforestation
• Desertification
• Pollution
• Alien species
• Habitat loss/degradation
• Climate change

Question 3

What are the biogeographic implications for climate change?

Answer 3

Protected area
-	Changes to climate envelopes
-	Complexity of designation process
Trans boundary issues
-	New migration routes
-	Water transferences
Costs
-	Polluter paying

Question 4

What is MONARCH?

Answer 4

MOdelling NAtural resource Responses to climate CHange

Question 5

What are the limitations of MONARCH?

Answer 5

• Models assume species occupies their entire climatic envelope
• Assumes climate is the only distribution factor
• Influence of climatic variability is not included
• Influence of biogeographic barriers not included
• Impact and influence of species-species interactions not measured

Question 6

What are the three great conservation unknowns?

Answer 6

1. How will new communities re-form after range shifts due to climate change?
2. What will be the speed of response by species and communities?
3. Which species will be the winners and losers?