Climate change has a range of effects on natural habitats, including:
-
Loss of biodiversity: Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns can disrupt ecosystems, leading to shifts in species distribution and potentially causing the extinction of some species.
-
Habitat destruction: Sea-level rise, more frequent wildfires, and extreme weather events like hurricanes can destroy habitats such as forests, coral reefs, and wetlands.
-
Altered ecosystems: Climate change can impact the functioning of ecosystems by affecting nutrient cycling, water availability, and the interactions between species.
-
Increased invasive species: Warmer temperatures can allow invasive species to expand their ranges, outcompeting native species and disrupting the balance of ecosystems.
-
Ocean acidification: The absorption of excess carbon dioxide by the oceans leads to acidification, which can harm marine habitats like coral reefs and disrupt marine food webs.
Overall, climate change poses a significant threat to natural habitats and the species that rely on them, highlighting the importance of taking action to mitigate its effects.
