Climate Plays an Important Environmental Influence on Ecosystems

One species-related effect of global warming was exposed in a recent MSNBC news article dated Oct 23, 2006. It stated that "Dead Zones" have increased by one third in just two years, bringing the number from 149 to 200. Dead Zones are areas of the world 's oceans where blooms of tiny plants known as phytoplankton, along with the bacteria that consume them, have depleted the oxygen that fish rely upon for their very existence. Not only are fish species becoming less plentiful as food but they are also

Any change to an environment can be harmful to a species and often changes the carrying capacity in that area. In the case of an increase in temperature, the North American River Otter and the Giant Pacific Octopus are both impacted. There would likely be negative effects to both species, but the Giant Pacific Octopus’ ability to adapt more quickly in a warmer environment gives it an advantage in this changing environment. While the River Otter would have many detrimental changes occur with an increase in temperature, the octopus may have an increased chance of survival.

Increasing temperatures are an immediate threat to the earth and its many diverse ecosystems. Our group chose to take an in depth look at the effects of climate change on freshwater fish species, specifically on the rising air and freshwater temperatures and how they affect a cold water dwelling fish species such as the trout. We will explore how the distribution of trout has changed over time with rising temperatures, how fires due to climate change affect trout populations, and lastly what the economic impacts of increased water temperatures will be on fisheries.

Increasing water temperatures decrease the amount of phytoplankton, which is what shrimp eat. As the water temperature increases it takes a ripple effect into the marine ecosystem, phytoplankton decrease in numbers, shrimp decline in numbers, those that prey off of shrimp decline and so on (Trotter). This then leads species to migrate to stable habitats, but survival of the fittest takes into place and large amounts die off in the process.

Because the ocean is slowly warming, it has been causing damage to coral reefs (“What Climate Change Means for Guam”). The warming waters cause harm to the algae within the waters and in the ecosystem. The harm of the algae has been causing damage to the coral reefs and is leading to a high decline around the world (“What Climate Change Means for Guam”). If most of the coral reef systems were to die out, it would disrupt a lot of other animals living within these ecosystem. Hundreds of species of fish would go without a habitat, and would either be forced to move somewhere else, or just die off. Even though rising water temperatures seem like a miniscule thing, it ends up affecting millions of species, and may lead to many new endangered animals.

Scientific studies have given evidence for this in the North Sea as fish have old further north into deeper water in order to escape the warmer water. Other species for example penguins Irving on the Antarctic Peninsula region may loose their homes as a result of the sea ice reducing as a result of global warming. Not only the penguins have issues with the reduction of sea ice but walrus too.

There is a predicted effect on climate change on pink salmon growth. 10% increase in water temperature leads to 3% drop in mature salmon body weight (physiological effect). 10% decrease in pteropod production leads to 20% drop in mature salmon body weight (prey limitation). Global emissions since 2000-2008 growth rate of fossil fuel emissions rate is at 3.4% per year. The global recession resulted in a drop of fossil fuel

Since 1880, Earth’s global temperature has increased 1.4℉. A nearly one and a half degree shift in temperature may not seem very detrimental, but it has contributed to several main impacts on marine environments. These impacts include coral bleaching, altered behaviors, rising sea levels, and increased ocean acidity. The ocean

The arctic top predator, the polar bear is being greatly affected by global warming. The polar bear uses ice as its resting place and also as its hunting ground, by capturing sea lions when they come up through holes in the ice. As a result of the melting of the arctic because of global warming, these predators have being forced to search for areas with more stable ice that can support their lifestyle. Others have being forced to swim for long distances and even drown in the ocean in search of a new habitat. A 2007 report from the U.S. Geological Service estimated that “as a result of sea-ice decline, today’s population of about 22,000 polar bears would decrease by two-thirds by the year 2050”. The rapid decrease in the number of polar bears will force these animals into extinction. Climate change doesn’t only have an adverse effect on polar bears but also on sea turtles. Part of the life cycle of these marine creatures take place on land as well as in the ocean. Female turtles come on land to nest and lay their eggs, and later return back to the ocean. The increase in water levels as a result of melting icebergs has forced these marine mammals to swim long distances to go on shore and lay their eggs. Increase in marine temperatures may have an adverse effect on the incubation period of these marine mammals. It may lead to most eggs are not being fertilized, or a bias in the

Global warming is not just affecting humans it is also affecting all of life on earth. It is affecting fish, Polar Bears, Marmots.Marmots now end their hibernations about three weeks earlier now compared to 30 years ago, Polar bears today are thinner and less healthy than those of 20 years ago, Many fish species are moving northward in search of cooler waters, and A fruitfly gene normally associated with hot, dry conditions has spread to populations living in traditionally cooler southern regions One species hit hard by global warming is the Orange Spotted Filefish. This fish lives in the shallow coral reefs and relies heavily on a constant ocean temperature ("7 Species Hit Hard by Climate Change-Including One That 's Already Extinct.").We also have already seen the extinction of some animals due to climate change. The Golden Toad, along with the Monteverde harlequin, two central american frog species have already been wiped out because of changing temperatures in south and central america ("7 Species Hit Hard by

Thermal tolerance can be vary between taxa, habitats, shore levels, regions or latitudes. Such studies is very crucial especially in considering and predicting what to be done in future climate warming (Portner 2002a, b; Helmuth et al., 2010; Somero 2010; Madeira et al., 2012a, b).

Many systems for humans would not function without clean water, such as: water supply, sanitation, agriculture, and health, which are dependent on fresh water supply. We also often get our drinking water from lakes and rivers and with healthier water systems come a healthier food chain. This is because all animals and plants depend upon the water on the earth. There is a connection between the changes in fish habitations and the composition of species in these habitats (Komatsu, Fukushima, and Harasawa, 2007), and healthy water systems. Increased temperature due to global warming leads to the concentration increase of dissolved substances other than oxygen and an influx of species into the warmer environment (Delpla, Jung, Baures, Clement,

In the world today their has been a surge of scientific, political and economical forces hurdling to prove and disprove the existence of global climate change. I assert that the "symptoms" that our planet is suffering are the truest indications to justify worrying about our collective future on this land; which I will present in terms of how the ecology is being effected by global climate change.

When looking at intertidal species it has been found that mid to high intertidal species, such as crabs, sea stars, anemones, are more susceptible and defenseless to the change in climate than species with a lower intolerance to heat. The warming of the intertidal zones effects not only survival but also reproduction. Phytoplankton has been caused to reproduce sooner than expected

The global warming has a significant effect on the animal extinction. We all know that, global warming is what controls the heating and cooling of the earth. The seasonal change in the temperature plays a crucial role on the animal extinction in various ways. As the temperature changes or as the global warming takes place, the animals migrate from one place to another where they feel more comfortable and where they can easily adapt to the environment simply because not all the animals are able to resist certain temperatures. However, when they migrate to a new place, it also requires adapting to the new environment and condition. And when some animals fail adapt to the new environment for not having enough food or not being able to interact