Impact on Biodiversity

1. Habitat Loss and Alteration:
   • Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns can alter and degrade habitats, making them unsuitable for many species.
   • Melting glaciers and ice caps reduce habitats for polar species, while coral bleaching due to warming oceans threatens coral reef ecosystems.
2. Species Migration and Range Shifts:
   • As climates shift, many species are forced to migrate to new areas where conditions are more favourable. This can lead to changes in species distributions and disrupt existing ecosystems.
   • Species that cannot migrate quickly enough or find suitable new habitats face increased risk of extinction.
3. Changes in Phenology:
   • Climate change affects the timing of natural events such as migration, breeding, and flowering. This can lead to mismatches between species and their food sources or pollinators, disrupting ecological relationships.
4. Increased Extinction Rates:
   • The combined effects of habitat loss, altered ecosystems, and changing environmental conditions increase the risk of extinction for many species, particularly those with narrow ecological niches or limited mobility.