Question

Essay on climate crisis and need for conserving biodiversity

Answer 1

To estimate the effect of climate change on species, scientists use what they call a climatic envelope (sometimes also referred to as a bioclimatic envelope), which is the range of temperatures, rainfall and other climate-related parameters in which a species currently exists. As the climate warms, the geographic location of climatic envelopes will shift significantly, possibly even to the extent that species can no longer survive in their current locations. Such species will need to follow their climatic envelopes by migrating to cooler and moister environments, usually uphill or southwards in the southern hemisphere. Marine species will also need to adapt to warmer ocean temperatures. There are several well documented cases of climate-induced shifts in the distribution of plants and animals in the northern hemisphere, but less information is available for southern hemisphere species. In many cases, however, such migration might not be possible because of unfavourable environmental parameters, geographical or human-made barriers and competition from species already in an area. The mountain pygmy possum is particularly vulnerable to a loss of habitat linked to climate change.While there is evidence that suggests the distribution of some animals like flying foxes and birds are responding to warmer temperatures in Australia, it is often difficult to separate the effects of climate from other influences upon habitats. As human activities, particularly agriculture but also settlement and industrial development, have expanded over the last few centuries, natural vegetation—such as forests, grasslands and heathlands—has been cleared in large swathes. Once-extensive plant communities have been reduced in size and broken into smaller patches. This habitat reduction and fragmentation poses a problem because it limits the ability of many species to migrate to areas with favourable conditions. Species on mountain-tops, islands and peninsulas will have a similar problem.

Answer 2

While there is evidence that suggests the distribution of some animals like flying foxes and birds are responding to warmer temperatures in Australia, it is often difficult to separate the effects of climate from other influences upon habitats. As human activities, particularly agriculture but also settlement and industrial development, have expanded over the last few centuries, natural vegetation—such as forests, grasslands and heathlands—has been cleared in large swathes. Once-extensive plant communities have been reduced in size and broken into smaller patches. This habitat reduction and fragmentation poses a problem because it limits the ability of many species to migrate to areas with favourable conditions. Species on mountain-tops, islands and peninsulas will have a similar problem.