Transcript Slide 1
National Academy of Sciences National Academy of Engineering Institute of Medicine National Research Council A presentation developed by the National Academy of Sciences based on its report Ecological Impacts of Climate Change (2009): www.nas.edu/climatechange. National Academy of Sciences National Academy of Engineering Institute of Medicine National Research Council The Climate is Changing • • • • Temperatures are rising Sea levels are rising The ocean is acidifying Climate change is reflected in water cycle changes and in extreme weather Temperature rise, indicated by color (red=higher rate of increase). Earth’s surface temperature has risen ~1.3˚ F since 1850. Image courtesy of the Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere & Ocean, U. of Washington. Ecological Impacts National Academy of Sciences National Academy of Engineering Institute of Medicine National Research Council Living things are intimately connected to their physical surroundings. Ecosystems are affected by changes in: – temperature – rainfall/moisture – pH – salinity (saltiness) – activities & distribution of other species – …many other factors Ecological Impacts National Academy of Sciences National Academy of Engineering Institute of Medicine National Research Council As a result of climate change, species and ecosystems are experiencing changes in: – – – – ranges timing of biological activity growth rates relative abundance of species – cycling of water and nutrients – the risk of disturbance from fire, insects, and invasive species Ecological Impacts National Academy of Sciences National Academy of Engineering Institute of Medicine National Research Council • As a result of climate change, species and ecosystems are experiencing changes in: – – – – ranges timing of biological activity growth rates relative abundance of species – cycling of water and nutrients – the risk of disturbance from fire, insects, and invasive species Range Shifts National Academy of Sciences National Academy of Engineering Institute of Medicine National Research Council Species are relocating to areas with more tolerable climate conditions. Range shifts particularly threaten species that: – cannot move fast enough – depend on conditions that are becoming more rare (like sea ice) Plant hardiness zone maps, 1990 and 2006. Most zones shifted northward in this period. Map courtesy of the National Arbor Day Foundation. Ecological Impacts National Academy of Sciences National Academy of Engineering Institute of Medicine National Research Council As a result of climate change, species and ecosystems are experiencing changes in: – – – – ranges timing of biological activity growth rates relative abundance of species – cycling of water and nutrients – the risk of disturbance from fire, insects, and invasive species National Academy of Sciences National Academy of Engineering Institute of Medicine National Research Council Timing of Biological Activity Some seasonal biological activities are happening 15-20 days earlier than several decades ago: – Trees blooming earlier – Migrating birds arriving earlier – Butterflies emerging earlier Changes in timing differ from species to species, so ecological interactions are disrupted. European pied flycatcher chicks are now born later than the caterpillars they eat. Images used under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. National Academy of Sciences National Academy of Engineering Institute of Medicine National Research Council Global Changes, Local Impacts Although climate change is global, the ecological impacts are often local. What’s happening in your backyard?