Controversies in Science/Are humans causing global warming/A critique of Fingerprints of global warming on wild animals and plants
(Review Paper) Cited in Controversies in Science/Are humans causing global warming/A critique of Fingerprints of global warming on wild animals and plants
Global warming affects species.
[edit | edit source]Research indicates that due to changes in habitat, rapid temperature rise, and other stresses species may be changing their physical characteristics, becoming less connected as species, and possibly even extinct. Because there is a projection that the average global temperature will continue to rise, it has already risen 0.6 degrees Celsius in the last 100 years; there are continued concerns for species and their ecosystems[1].
- In the results they discuss all of the different aspects that are contributing to transformation of different species not just temperature change and disasters. Its discussed that they want to look at every thing that can play a role in global warming. The scientists want to look at it separately and then piece the whole picture together[1].
- It has been identified that species are running the risk of extinction, but there is no conclusive evidence as to how these changes in species are going to affect the human population. With species changing there characteristics in attempt to survive the rapid changes in temperature, are humans changing as well? Humans are a large contributor to the depletion of the ozone layer due to the increased CO2 emission that they produce. Therefore, we are contributing to the species habitat depletion and ultimately creating our own fate.
Methods
[edit | edit source]A meta—analysis of 143 studies that monitored the changes in physical traits in species for at least 10 years, and had at least 1 trait change, and changes of temperature at study site were used[1].
Results
[edit | edit source]The future of climate change is becoming more apparent as we are starting to recognize more stressors in our environment. A important issue is habitat destruction. In the past, climate changes affected many species showing a differential movement rather than shifting together. This evidence is different from hypothesis formed in the past. This could be a potential threat due to species being separated from their current ecosystem. Research and conservation needs stray from focusing on global warming as one issue, instead breaking down each individual stressor. Examples of said stressors include temperature change, and natural disasters. We still need to look at all the stressors in the big picture. By taking each individual stressor and relating it to the overall issue, it will give us greater detail on what is going on and why. Through documenting the changes we observe, we can modify the actions we take related to conservation for future planning of global warming and it's affect on habitat destruction. [1]