Climate change and Wildlife Flashcards
What is the main cause of Climate change?
Greenhouse gas emissions
What evidence do we have of climate change?
Synthesis of data from tree rings, ice cores, corals and direct measurements over the last 2000 years.
Warming started during the industrial revolution.
Give some examples of physical responses to climate change.
Melting of polar ice caps
Melting of glaciers
Thawing of permafrost
Sea level rise
What are some wildlife responses (range?) to climate change?
Many species are shifting poleward (especially birds).
Shift upwards towards higher altitudes has also been recorded.
- E.g. Amphibians in Madagascar (1992-2003)
- Yosemite mammals over nearly a century have made a 500 m shift in elevation.
What are the effects of sea-level change?
Likely to affect shorelines:
Mudflats
mangroves
Estuaries
Swamps
-Feeding/breeding grounds for shorebirds
- nesting grounds for turtles
- possible extinction of snowy plovers due to decline in low-lying land being inundated.
Provide an example of how climate change has affected phenology of reproduction.
Pied flycatcher (Endangered)
There is now an A-synchrony between caterpillar emergence and egg hatching.
Seasonality in migratory birds (e.g., Moult too late, this can affect migration)
Temperature-dependent sex-determination in marine turtles -> Females only.
What are the three main response mechanisms to climate change in Wildlife?
If species has sufficient dispersal capacity they are likely to shift to a more suitable environment.
If sufficient genetic variability and strong selection gradient is present species are likely to rapidly adapt to a new environment.
If neither migration nor adaption is possible, range will contract making possible extinction.
Provide an example of how different adaptive morphs will struggle in the face of climate change?
The Eastern red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinercus)
-Two morphs -Black morph associated with warmer climates.
- Frequency of red striped morph has decreased from 80% to 74% during the 20th Century.
Describe some advantages and disadvantages of adaptation.
ADV.
1. Survive in an area with a changed climate
2. Move to another area (Habitat track)
Disadv.
1. Adaptation is typically slow
2. Rate of climate change is too fast
Because adaptation is too slow what do organisms depend on to keep up with climate change?
Many populations rely on phenotypic plasticity to withstand environmental insults.
Provide an example of a species which is being affected by climate change
Polar bears are declining due to the breakup of sea ice and are resorting to an alternate food source - Snow goose.
What happens when a population of a species is lost ?
A large part of the species adaptive portfolio is lost.
