OVERVIEW
Animals, birds and plants are being affected by climate change and global warming in both their distribution and behaviour, as much as humans. Unless greenhouse gas emissions are severely reduced, climate change could cause a quarter of land animals, birdlife and plants to become extinct. Coupled with “poaching and hunting” Africans wildlife is in more danger than originally thought.
The scientific literature contains numerous descriptions of observed and potential effects of global climate change on species and ecosystems. In response to anticipated effects of climate change, conservation organizations and government agencies are developing “adaptation strategies” to facilitate the adjustment of human society and ecological systems to altered climate regimes. These strategies can be grouped into four broad categories: land and water protection and management; direct species management; monitoring and planning; and law and policy.
Tools for implementing these strategies are similar or identical to those already in use by conservationists worldwide (land and water conservation, ecological restoration, agri environment schemes, species translocation, captive propagation, monitoring, natural resource planning, and legislation/regulation). Although our review indicates natural resource managers already have many tools that can be used to address climate-change effects, managers will likely need to apply these tools in novel and innovative ways to meet the unprecedented challenges posed by climate change.
Climate change impacts are already being felt all over the globe. Major impacts on wildlife include:
- Altitudinal/pole-ward range shifts
- Changing food/water availability
- Increase in pests and disease
- Changes in the timing of life cycle events
- Coral bleaching – Extinction
Protecting wildlife and wild places across the planet requires scientists and others to think about the long and short term changes that climate change is bringing, and tailor plans to help wildlife adapt to the rapidly changing conditions.
Learn more by reading the FULL SCIENTIFIC BACKGROUND
Use the INFO-GRAPHIC to present the topic to your class
Select one of the following Class activities:
- Effects on Wildlife
- Wildlife of the Arctic