Ecosystem Response
By: Jordan Robinson November 11, 2005
Migration
Global Warming has caused migration of plants and animals to cooler climates Those most susceptible to migration problems:
Geographically localized species Highly specialized species Species living on the edge of their range Poor dispersing species
Plant Migration
If the Earth warms 2 deg. C in the next 100 years, plants will have to migrate at a rate of 2 mi. per year
That rate is more than 5 times higher than migration rates due to climate change before human influence
Plant Migration
May result in loss of biodiversity Need for “highly mobile and opportunistic” species especially a problem for “nut-bearing” plants or those that spread seeds by wind Plants will have to migrate 5 times faster than in natural warming from the past
Plant Migration
Possible Benefits:
•Increase in CO2 is a positive feedback mechanism •Some scientists argue that the increase in CO2 will cause plants to thrive overall, thus reversing the effect
Animal Migration: Birds
Numerous studies of 103 bird species have shown that these birds have been arriving earlier in the second half of the 20th century than they did in the first
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Animal Migration: Fish
•Mainly a problem for freshwater fish •temperature in water of lakes and streams raises •freshwater fish (attempt to) migrate to cooler waters •Examples: Trout and Salmon
Animal Migration: Red Fox
•The Red Fox, originally inhabiting North America and Eurasia, is now migrating north into the territory of the Arctic Fox due to warming. •When competing for resources the Red Fox usually wins, endangering the survival of the Arctic Fox
Why is Migration a Problem?
1. Many have nowhere to migrate 2. Many cannot migrate fast enough 3. Migration will cause increase of invasive species
Many Have Nowhere to Migrate
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•Draining of wetlands, deforestation, and development of coastlines leaves limited options for migration
Many Cannot Migrate Fast Enough
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Migration causes Increase in Invasive Species
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Burmese python and Alligator