How Does Climate Change Affect Animal Behavior
-
Upload
dillon-jones -
Category
Environment
-
view
11 -
download
0
Transcript of How Does Climate Change Affect Animal Behavior
Climate Change &
Behavior Change
Primer on Climate ChangeThe global average temperature has increased by more than 1.5°F since the late 1800s.[2] Some regions of the world have warmed by more than twice this amount. The buildup of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere and the warming of the planet are responsible for other changes, such as:
https://www.epa.gov/climate-change-science/overview-climate-change-science
EffectsChanging
temperature and precipitation patterns [1][2]
Increases in ocean temperatures, sea level, and acidity
Melting of glaciers and sea ice [1]Changes in the frequency, intensity,
and duration of extreme weather events
Shifts in ecosystem characteristics, like the length of the growing season, timing of flower blooms, and migration of birds
Increasing effects on human health and well-being
Marmots are ending their hibernations about three weeks earlier than they did 30 years ago.
Canadian red squirrels are breeding about 18 days earlier.
Red foxes are spreading northward, encroaching on territory normally occupied by their arctic cousins.
Polar bears today are thinner and less healthy than those of 20 years ago.
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/03/03/climate-change-turning-koalas-drink-scientists-find
Mammals
Coral reefs around the world are predicted to decrease by up to a third in size.
Elephant seal pups are leaner because their prey is migrating to cooler waters.
Tidal organisms like rock barnacles, mollusks, and tidal snails commonly found in warm southern waters are moving northward.
Many fish species are moving northward in search of cooler waters.
Sealife
The diet of some songbirds are changing, with some avoiding insects that consume leaves exposed to high levels of carbon dioxide.
North American tree swallows are laying their eggs about nine days earlier than they did 40 years ago.
Common murres are breeding 24 days earlier than they did a decade ago.
Birds
PlantsAmerican flowering plants like columbines and wild geraniums are blooming earlier than before.
Some plants are thriving in areas where their growth was limited before, thanks to increased water, heat and sunlight.
InsectsEdith's checkerspot butterflies are moving northward in search of cooler temperatures.
A gene in the fruitfly Drosophila normally associated with hot, dry conditions has spread to populations living in traditionally cooler southern regions.
HerpsNorth American Fowler's toads are breeding six days later than they did a decade ago.
Loggerhead sea turtles are laying their eggs about 10 days earlier than they did 15 years ago.
Rising temperatures are influencing the sex of Hawkbill turtle hatchlings, with more females than males being born.
Gopher Tortoises are now going out of their burrows less or dying of heat exhaustion
http://www.livescience.com/3863-animals-plants-adapting-climate-change.html
All things are connected
Effects on songbirds
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
pmc/articles/PMC2781852/
● They are migrating earlier than normal○ Not enough food when they
reach their destination
● They are laying their eggs earlier than normal○ Might be from lack of resources or
temperature selection
● The young are being born earlier than normal○ The new hatchlings don’t have enough food
Desert Tortoise
Its well.. A Desert Tortoise
With increased temperatures the adults are able to survive….
But the hatchlings
simply can’t...
They might relocate
them
However, Tortoises
are a keystone species