Impacts on Biomes, Habitats & Animal Migration
- Ecosystems and biomes play a key role in carbon cycling
- The availability of moisture for plant and animal distribution and growth is important
- Changes in temperature, rainfall, and habitats affect species' survival, migration patterns, and interactions
- This results in changes to ecosystem functions and services
- Some places will improve conditions for crops and ecosystems, while others will suffer
- Biomes may move north or south because they need specific climate conditions:
- Polar and tundra biomes are at risk because they cannot move any further north or south
- Rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification have caused coral bleaching
- As biomes move, migration and behaviour patterns also change
- Animals will have to migrate longer distances to find cooler climates, reduced pests, diseases and predators so they can breed
- Fish species are already moving further north and south of their usual habitats
- Reduced hibernation time due to warmer winters
- Migrations begin earlier every year, with the birds leaving their winter nesting sites and heading north for the summer
- Soil erosion reduces the fertility of the remaining soil
- Soil erosion increases when rainfall is higher and vegetation is low
- Warmer temperatures and increased rainfall increase soil loss on slopes
- Increased rates of drought slow plant growth, reduce carbon cycling and reduce nutrient transfer to the soil; lack of nutrients and water exposes soil erosion; soil erosion can lead to desertification
- Agricultural practices expose soil to increased run-off and erosion
- Overgrazing: grazing animals destroy vegetation that binds soil particles
- Over-cultivation: soil becomes exhausted
- Deforestation: loss of roots to bind the soil
Examiner Tip
It's important to note that while some regions may experience certain benefits from climate change, such as increased agricultural productivity or longer growing seasons, the overall negative impacts tend to outweigh the positive ones.