Understanding Climate Change Impacts On Global Ecosystems PDF

Understanding the Impacts of Climate Change on Global Ecosystems MADE BY GROUP 8 Repiano, Timothy Joshua Silvosa, Cholo Gandecila, Khen Dosado, Roselle Introduction to Climate Change Climate change refers to significant changes in global temperatures and weather patterns over...

Understanding the Impacts of Climate Change on Global Ecosystems MADE BY GROUP 8 Repiano, Timothy Joshua Silvosa, Cholo Gandecila, Khen Dosado, Roselle Introduction to Climate Change Climate change refers to significant changes in global temperatures and weather patterns over time. Understanding its impacts on ecosystems is crucial for biodiversity and human survival. This presentation will explore various effects and implications of climate change on our planet's ecosystems. Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Such shifts can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions. But since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas. Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions that act like a blanket wrapped around the Earth, trapping the sun’s heat and raising temperatures. The main greenhouse gases that are causing climate change include carbon dioxide and methane. These come from using gasoline for driving a car or coal for heating a building, for example. Clearing land and cutting down forests can also release carbon dioxide. Agriculture, oil and gas operations are major sources of methane emissions. Energy, industry, transport, buildings, agriculture and land use are among the main sectors causing greenhouse gases.  The Earth's orbit around the sun affects the climate by changing how much energy the Earth receives from the sun. The Earth's orbit is not always circular, but can be more elliptical, meaning the Earth moves closer and further from the sun. When the Earth is closer to the sun, the climate is warmer. What Are the 3 Milankovitch Cycles? - Earth How The Earth's orbit also changes in other ways, such as the tilt of the Earth's axis. The Earth's tilt causes one hemisphere to receive more heat and light than the other, which results in seasonal changes. These changes in the Earth's orbit and tilt happen naturally over time, and many of them repeat in cycles over tens of thousands of years. These cycles have likely caused the Earth to alternate between warm and cold periods over the last few million years. Even a small shift in the Earth's orbit could have a huge impact on the climate. For example, if the Earth moved closer to the sun, glaciers would melt, raising sea levels and flooding most of the planet. These parameters are influenced by the gravitational forces of other planets in the solar system, the pull of the sun, and Earth's moon. Astronomers can calculate the Milankovitch cycles hundreds of millions of years into the past and future because they know the orbit of Earth and its neighbors with great precision. Milankovitch cycles are responsible for long-term changes in Earth's climate, including the beginning and end of Ice Ages. For example, a decrease in tilt can lead to milder seasons and an overall cooling trend. This can encourage the termination of an interglacial period and the onset of a glacial period. Milutin Milankovitch, a Serbian astronomer, proposed the relationship between these orbital parameters and ice ages in the early 20th century. His theory was largely ignored for about 50 years, but a 1976 study found that it corresponded to periods of climate change. Global warming is the unusually rapid increase in Earth's average surface temperature over the past century primarily due to the greenhouse gases released by people burning fossil fuels. Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are gases in the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat and warm the planet: How they work GHGs absorb heat from the sun that reaches the Earth's surface, and then re- radiate that heat back to the Earth, warming the surface and lower atmosphere. This process is called the greenhouse effect. Effects on Biodiversity Climate change poses a significant threat to biodiversity. Species are forced to adapt, migrate, or face extinction. The loss of biodiversity can disrupt ecosystem services that are vital for human life, such as food production and clean water. As CO2 levels rise, oceans absorb more carbon, leading to ocean acidification. This phenomenon negatively impacts marine life, particularly coral reefs and shellfish, which are essential for marine ecosystems and coastal protection. Impact on Forest Ecosystems Forests are vital for carbon storage and biodiversity. Climate change increases the frequency of wildfires and pest outbreaks, threatening these ecosystems. The loss of forests can exacerbate climate change by releasing stored carbon back into the atmosphere. Altered Weather Patterns Climate change leads to extreme weather events such as hurricanes, droughts, and floods. These events can cause habitat destruction and impact species survival. Understanding these changes is crucial for conservation efforts. Impact on Freshwater Systems Freshwater ecosystems are affected by climate change through altered precipitation patterns and increased temperatures. These changes can lead to water scarcity and affect species that rely on these habitats for survival. Human Implications The impacts of climate change on ecosystems have direct consequences for human populations. Loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services can lead to food insecurity, health risks, and displacement of communities, necessitating urgent action. Conclusion Understanding the impacts of climate change on global ecosystems is essential for mitigation and adaptation strategies. By protecting biodiversity and ecosystem health, we can work towards a more sustainable future for both our planet and humanity. Thanks!