Impacts of Climate Change on Biodiversity

Description

Climate change impacts the biophysical environment through changes in the length and start of the seasons, glacial retreat, a reduction in the area of Arctic sea ice, and an increase in sea level. At the species level, in terms of phenology, distribution, and populations, as well as at the level of the ecosystem, in terms of distribution, composition, and function, these changes have already had noticeable effects on biodiversity. Rapid climate change and the disappearance of biodiversity pose a threat to human security (e.g. a significant change in the food chain upon which we depend, water sources may change, recede or disappear, medicines and other resources we rely on may be harder to obtain as the plants and fauna they are derived from may reduce or disappear, etc.). In addition to other considerations, environmental circumstances are a major determinant of the function and distribution of plants. It is well recognized that the patterns of contemporary plant diversity have been significantly impacted by changes in long-term environmental factors that can be collectively referred to as climate change; more consequences are anticipated in the future. Climate change is expected to continue to be one of the main factors influencing biodiversity trends in the future. The specialist and the concerned citizen are the intended audiences for this work. This significant book thoroughly overviews the most recent findings and theories about climate change and biological diversity.