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4 Effects of Everyday Activities on the Ecosystem
are flourishing due to these adverse weather conditions. The flourishing organisms
are the mainly adaptable ones, including many pests and weeds. Cold-sensitive
species, including the Burmese python in Florida, are also benefitting from climate
change. The secondary impacts of global warming, like snow cover, rise in sea
levels, and changes in weather, could influence human activities and the ecosystem.
Studies have established that during the last three decades, global warming as a
result of human activities has altered numerous biological and physical ecosystems.
What do you think could happen to our ecosystems by 2050 at the current
climate change levels?
Various studies suggest that climate change will lead to an extinction of
numerous species and a minimization in ecosystem diversity (Cahill et al. 2012;
Archer and Predick 2008). A rise in global temperature could also result in the
disappearance of many coral reefs in the world (Archer and Predick 2008). Cahill
et al. (2012) argue that there could be higher rates of extinction of vulnerable
species. Many of the vulnerable species are Antarctica and Arctic animals, including
emperor penguins and polar bears. Climate change also interacts with other human
activities, called stressors, to affect ecosystems. Stressors are defined as biological
or chemical agents, or simply environmental conditions, or external stimulus that
cause stress to organisms (Hoegh-Guldberg and Bruno 2010). Events that could
trigger environmental stress responses include incredibly high or low temperatures,
high sound levels, overcrowding, or over-illumination. While some of the stressors
could lead to only minor effects when acting independently, their combined effect
could result in dramatic ecological changes. For example, climate change could
aggravate the stress placed by land development on fragile coastal ecosystems. In
addition, forest lands that have been recently logged could be vulnerable to erosion
if climate change leads to heavy rainstorms.
Identify some of the vulnerable species in Africa.
(continued)
Experiment 4.1: Global warming as evidence for climate change
Objectives To demonstrate global warming phenomenon.
Required Materials 2 thermometers, 6 cups of water, 2 glass containers
(each with a lid), 1 plastic bag, and 12 cubes of ice.
4 Effects of Everyday Activities on the Ecosystem
are flourishing due to these adverse weather conditions. The flourishing organisms
are the mainly adaptable ones, including many pests and weeds. Cold-sensitive
species, including the Burmese python in Florida, are also benefitting from climate
change. The secondary impacts of global warming, like snow cover, rise in sea
levels, and changes in weather, could influence human activities and the ecosystem.
Studies have established that during the last three decades, global warming as a
result of human activities has altered numerous biological and physical ecosystems.
What do you think could happen to our ecosystems by 2050 at the current
climate change levels?
Various studies suggest that climate change will lead to an extinction of
numerous species and a minimization in ecosystem diversity (Cahill et al. 2012;
Archer and Predick 2008). A rise in global temperature could also result in the
disappearance of many coral reefs in the world (Archer and Predick 2008). Cahill
et al. (2012) argue that there could be higher rates of extinction of vulnerable
species. Many of the vulnerable species are Antarctica and Arctic animals, including
emperor penguins and polar bears. Climate change also interacts with other human
activities, called stressors, to affect ecosystems. Stressors are defined as biological
or chemical agents, or simply environmental conditions, or external stimulus that
cause stress to organisms (Hoegh-Guldberg and Bruno 2010). Events that could
trigger environmental stress responses include incredibly high or low temperatures,
high sound levels, overcrowding, or over-illumination. While some of the stressors
could lead to only minor effects when acting independently, their combined effect
could result in dramatic ecological changes. For example, climate change could
aggravate the stress placed by land development on fragile coastal ecosystems. In
addition, forest lands that have been recently logged could be vulnerable to erosion
if climate change leads to heavy rainstorms.
Identify some of the vulnerable species in Africa.
(continued)
Experiment 4.1: Global warming as evidence for climate change
Objectives To demonstrate global warming phenomenon.
Required Materials 2 thermometers, 6 cups of water, 2 glass containers
(each with a lid), 1 plastic bag, and 12 cubes of ice.