Bio 105 Climate Change HW Mod 3

Longfish

Introduced to the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean when no longer wanted as an aquarium pet, these predators are outcompeting top predators and pose an issue for coral reef ecosystems.

Which of the following does NOT represent evidence for climate change affecting organisms at the individual/species level?

The depletion of the ozone layer, due to the increase of carbon dioxide in the higher atmosphere, has caused an increase of skin cancers seen in animals.

Drought, heat waves, spread of diseases, habitat loss, and extinction are all impacts of __________ __________ at the individual and species level of biological organization.

climate change

What changes in a biome may lead to desertification?

-Changes in temperature -Removal of natural vegetation -Overgrazing livestock

Describe how climate is affecting species across the planet

-Habitats are changing rapidly beyond those that a species can tolerate. -Habitats are being lost and are affecting species abundance. -Habitats are changing rapidly, and these changes are affecting species behavior and their ability to adapt and survive in these new conditions. -As habitats change, species are moving to areas that they previously have never been recorded.

Ocean Acidification

-It prevents organisms from being able to calcify their skeletons and shells. -It reduces the amount of zooplankton in the food web. -Causes reduction in corals and shellfish, making it more difficult for fishes to find shelter and food. -Reduction in zooplankton impacts fish health, making them more susceptible to disease and inability to reproduce. -It dissolves the existing shells and skeleton of organisms, which reduces their chances of surviving and reproducing.

Kudzu

A species intentionally introduced to prevent soil erosion and provide shade. This species outcompeted local plant species.

Characteristics that would likely determine if a species is able to successfully adapt to a changing climate

An organism that has a broad tolerance for temperature

Explain how anthropogenic climate change differs from naturally occurring changes to the climate

Anthropogenic climate change occurs at such a rapid pace it is leaving organisms less time to adapt to their changing environment.

Rats

Typically introduced to a new area via boat, these introduced species not only have brought diseases but also decimated native bird populations.

One consequence of climate change is change in temperature and precipitation patterns, which results in

an increase in the severity and frequency of droughts and heat waves.

Gypsy moth

Having a natural range of Europe and Asia, this species was intentionally introduced in the United States on a misguided attempt to produce silk from hardy worms. This species feeds voraciously on the foliage of many North American plants. Typically introduced to a new area via boat, these introduced species not only have brought diseases but also decimated native bird populations. Infested the Great Lakes of North America via boat, this species caused disruptions in aquatic ecosystem and has led to the extinction of native species due to their ability to out compete them for food. Introduced to the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean when no longer wanted as an aquarium pet, these predators are outcompeting top predators and pose an issue for coral reef ecosystems. A species intentionally introduced to prevent soil erosion and provide shade. This species outcompeted local plant species.

Zebra mussels

Infested the Great Lakes of North America via boat, this species caused disruptions in aquatic ecosystem and has led to the extinction of native species due to their ability to out compete them for food.