climate change and animals

 
How climate change effects on animal life

                                           7PEM Brian

There are many natural factors that contribute to climate change. Climate change has always happened on Earth, which is clearly seen in the geological record. It is the rapid rate and the magnitude of climate change occurring now that is of great concern worldwide. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb heat radiation. Human activity has increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution, leading to more heat retention and an increase in surface temperatures. Atmospheric aerosols alter climate by scattering and absorbing solar and infrared radiation and they may also change the microphysical and chemical properties of clouds. Finally, land use changes, such as deforestation have led to changes in the amount of sunlight reflected from the ground back into space.

While the impact of climate change on human populations is likely to be dire, we're pretty good at adapting to change overall. Animals, however, are not. When their habitats change irrevocably when the rain forest dries up or cool mountains in tropical zones heat up animals may simply go extinct.

 For example, the amur leopard is among the world’s most endangered animals in the cat family. It is currently found only in Amur River in Russia after it got extinct in other countries such as China and Korea.

They are known to be currently about 60 in number. They continue to face threats such as poaching and climatic changes.

 And  for another example Giant pandas are quickly getting extincted because of climate change.  There are about 1,854 giant pandas that are living in the wild.

Wildlife depends on healthy habitats. They need the right temperatures, fresh water, food sources, and places to raise their young. Climate change is altering key habitat elements that are critical to wildlife's survival and putting natural resources in jeopardy.

 Melting Arctic ice removes hunting ground from polar bears. Warmer water temperatures will cause population declines for trout, salmon, and many other species that require cold water to survive. Rising ocean temperatures have already caused massive coral bleaching, leading to the collapse of these ecosystems, which sustain huge numbers of fish. Coral bleaching occurs when colorful algae that live in corals die or are expelled from corals under stress. The algae live symbiotically with coral polyps, providing them with nutrients and oxygen. If the algae die and are not replaced, the corals will also die.

Some animals are laying eggs, migrating, or emerging from hibernation much earlier than they used to, only to find that the plants or the insects they need for food have not yet emerged. Climate change has altered food availability for migratory species.