Effects on Biomes, Habitats and animal migration Flashcards
What is leading to the environmental degradation of many biomes?
Climate change through warming temperature and changing patterns of rainfall.
Which biomes are less resilient to climate change?
Tundra and boreal forest.
What are the consequences of species migration due to climate change?
Increased competition, extinction, and reduced biodiversity.
What is ecological sensitivity?
The varying impact of climate change on different biomes, with some being more fragile and less resilient.
Which biomes are most sensitive to climate change according to projections?
Northern latitude biomes such as boreal forests and tundra.
What is the predicted impact of 1.5°C of warming on biogeographic regions?
Severe ecosystem transformation.
What is the expected shift of boreal forest in North America?
Boreal forest will shift northwards, relinquishing vast stores of carbon.
By how much has the Sahara Desert grown since 1902?
10%, advancing as much as 800km northward.
What are the challenges in measuring the impact of climate change on habitats?
Distinguishing effects of climate from human activity and population pressure.
What did the study by Warren et al. published in Science 2018 find regarding geo-climatic range losses?
Greater than half for 18% of insects, 16% of plants, and 8% of vertebrates at 2°C warming.
What is the expected impact of 3°C warming on species geo-climatic range?
49% of insects, 44% of plants, and 26% of vertebrates affected.
What is the future outlook for coral reefs due to climate change?
They may not survive to mid-century, leading to a loss of about one-third of marine biodiversity.
What does the term ‘ocean acidification’ refer to?
The reduction of calcification rates in reef-building organisms due to absorbed carbon dioxide.
What does the Global Biodiversity Outlook say about the Arctic biome?
Ice-free summers imply the loss of an entire biome.
What did Professor Richard Bardgett’s study on mountain ranges suggest?
Warming could impact plant growth and create a mismatch between plants and soils.
What is beta-diversity?
An ecologically important indicator of species composition across regions.
What is happening to the species richness in the Cerrado region of Brazil?
There is a general decrease in species richness and a pattern of homogenisation.
How far are land species moving on average due to climate change?
More than 16km per decade.
What is the impact of warming on the timing of biological cycles globally?
Frogs are breeding eight days earlier, while birds and butterflies are reproducing four days earlier.
Fill in the blank: The iconic polar bear is at the top of the _______ food chain.
Arctic.
True or False: The tropical rainforest is the most sensitive biome to climate change.
False.
What is one documented example of species migration due to climate change?
The Aedes aegypti mosquito extending its territory.
What are the consequences of environmental degradation on animal migration?
Increased competition for resources and territory.
