CLIIMATE CHANGE AND BIODIVERSITY.pptx,,,

Climate change, periodic modification of Earth’s climate brought about as a result of changes in the atmosphere as well as interactions between the atmosphere and various other geologic, chemical, biological, and geographic factors within the Earth system.

1. CLIIMATE CHANGE AND BIODIVERSITY Biodiversity refers to the Variety and Variability among all groups of living Organisms and the ecosystem complexes in which they occur. In the convention of Biological diversity (1992) biodiversity has been defined as the variability among living organism from all sources including inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are apart. The word wild life fund (1989) defines it as the millions of Plants, animals and micro organisms, the genes they contain, and the intricate ecosystems they help build into the living environment It can be considered in the following levels: Genetic Biodiversity, species bio diversity, Ecosystem biodiversity, Domesticated Biodiversity and Micro organism diversity

2. The Importance of Biodiversity Health Ecosystem and rich Biodiversity Our biodiversity is very important to the well being of our planet. Most cultures atleast at some time, have recognized the importance of conserving natural resources. Increase ecosystem productivity: Each species in an ecosystem has a specific niche – a role to play Support a larger number of plant species and therefore a greater variety of crops Protect freshwater resources Promote soils formation and protection Provide for nutrient storage and recycling Aid in breaking down pollutants Contribute to climate stability Speed recovery from natural disaster Provide more food resources Provide more medical resources and pharmaceutical drugs Offer environments for recreation and tourisms Provide more values to consumptive uses like Food, fuel drugs, Fibre etc. Provide services more social value, ethical, Aesthetic, option and Ecosystem service values

3. Biodiversity provides functioning ecosystem that supply oxygen, clean air and water, pollination of plants, pest control, waste water treatment and many ecosystem services.   Causes of Biodiversity loss: Climate change Pollution Destruction of habitats Invasive alien species; are animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms entered and established in the environment from outside of their natural habitat.  Over exploitation of natural environment Extraction of species Proliferation of pests ; Climate change favours pest proliferation worldwide, especially in temperate zones. Species extinction Habitat loss and Fragmentation Over exploitation for commercialization Global climate change Population growth and over consumption Illegal wildlife trade etc

4. How Climate Change Affects Biodiversity Loss climate change and biodiversity has long been established. Although throughout Earth’s history the climate has always changed with ecosystems and species coming and going ,   rapid  climate change affects ecosystems and species ability to adapt and, contributing to biodiversity loss. As shown by J.M. Scott (2008), shortly after World War II, humankind entered in a phase of almost exponential population growth , going from around 3 billion people to 7.2 billion people nowadays.  Biodiversity loss is a factor that follows that trend closely.

5. As shown by the  Stockholm Resilience Centre , the global leading research institute focused on socioenvironmental resilience,  biodiversity is the main player when it comes to building resilience to a system . Therefore, biodiversity loss translates into a great threat to the global environmental scenario. Many human-related activities can be change climate in land and ocean biodiversity. The environmental changes in climate can intensify many catastrophic events, such as droughts, decrease water supply, threaten food security, erode and inundate coastlines, and weaken natural resilience infrastructure that humans depends .

6. land biodiversity global warming is the biggest enemy of the polar regions. Fauna like polar bears, penguins, puffins, and other Arctic creatures will face a constant threat of losing their habitat through the diminishment of ice caps. As the ice melts, it increases the sea level, which will affect and destroy ecosystems on coastlines. Changes in temperatures, as already predicted by  IPCC’s   (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,  Geneva, Switzerland) reports, will also cause shifts in mating cycles, and reproductive timing especially for migratory animals,Birds,insects,and other organism that rely on changing seasons to indicate their migration and reproductive timing

7. Changes in other biogeochemical cycles can be translated in a drastic shift in water and resources, affecting all forms of fauna and flora. Small animals, like insects and fungi , tend to be more sensitive to environmental changes. These same animals are responsible for maintaining many environmental services provided by nature, like polinization , soil aeration , etc. Gradually extinction of microfauna would changes the spcies level We have to keep in mind that natural communities are linked between a net of ecological relations, if climate change affects one group, many others will suffer its effect too.

8. The impacts of climate change , changes to land and the planet’s surface or atmosphere. Climate change also means ocean change. But, according to  Ove Hoegh-Guldberg , one of the main researchers linked to climate change and coral reefs , we should pay more attention to what is happening underwater. The rapid rise of greenhouse gas concentrations is driving ocean systems associated to risk of fundamental and irreversible ecological transformation. Changes in biological function in the ocean caused by anthropogenic climate change lead to death , extinctions and habitat loss : fundamental processes are being altered, community assemblages are being reorganized

9. The same researcher warns us about coral reefs extinction . “The future is horrific”, he says. “There is no hope of reefs surviving to even mid-century in any form that we now recognize., they will not taken precaution measures with about one-third of the world’s marine biodiversity going to end This is the path of a mass extinction event, when most life, especially tropical marine life, goes extinct.”. Climate change is a global broad issue , and many of the facts related to it are interconnected, what represents environmental negative and society does not change its pathways quickly. The bigger the rate we lose biodiversity , the faster drastic global environmental events will happen. Such problem will dedicate our survival and life quality. We have to act, the sooner the better.

10. Impacts of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystem services In the last 100 years average global temperature has increased by 0.74°C, rainfall patterns have changed and the frequency of extreme events increased. Change has not been uniform on either a spatial or temporal scale and the range of change, in terms of climate and weather, has also been variable. Change in climate has consequences on the 1. biophysical environment such as changes in the start and length of the seasons, 2. glacial retreat, decrease in Arctic sea ice extent and a rise in sea level. 3. lmpact on biodiversity at the species level, in term of phenology , distribution & populations,  affecting their abundance, genetic composition, behaviour and survival.etc 4. Ecosystem level in terms of distribution, composition & function .

11. Climate Impact on Change's Environment The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts that by 2100, temperatures may rise as much as 8 degrees Celsius (11 degrees Fahrenheit). Though the Earth's climate has changed in the past, the rapid severity of this change will directly affect ecosystems and biodiversity. .

12. Effects on Ocean Biodiversity Rising sea levels will also cause changes to ocean temperatures and perhaps even currents. 1. Strong impact on zooplankton, an essential part of the food chain in the ocean . 2 . Shifts in where plankton live and how big the size of their populations could upset the biodiversity in the Earth's waters. 3 . Whales, especially, could bear the brunt of this, as many whale species require mass amounts of plankton to survive. 4. In addition, increased carbon dioxide causes acidification of the ocean, affecting creatures and plants that are sensitive to pH imbalances.

13. Lack of Biodiversity As biodiversity decreases, there will be far-reaching effects. 5. Disruptions in the food chain may greatly affect not only ecosystems but also humanity's ability to feed an ever-growing population. For example, losing diverse insect species will decrease plant pollination . 6. Additionally, this may decrease humanity's ability to produce medicine , extinction claims more and more key plant species. 7. Biodiversity also protects against natural disasters , such as grasses that have evolved specifically to resist the spread of wildfires.

14. This pie chart (above) shows percentages of species in threat categories of extinction risk. Based on data from 47,677 species, percentages were compiled by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The IUCN Red List is a comprehensive assessment of the status of Earth’s biological species.

15. This graph shows the threat status of species as assessed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The graph in the Featured Data section of the Biodiversity module provides more detail for the threatened species category.

16. Biodiversity to reduce the impacts of climate . Mitigation is described as a human intervention to reduce greenhouse gas sources or enhance carbon sequestration , while adaptation to climate change refers to adjustments in natural or human systems in response to climatic stimuli or their effects , which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities. Examples of activities that promote mitigation of or adaptation to climate change include : • maintaining and restoring native ecosystems, • protecting and enhancing ecosystem services, • managing habitats for endangered species, • creating refuges and buffer zones • establishing networks of terrestrial, freshwater and marine protected areas that take into account projected changes in climate.

17. Biodiversity and Climate Change in Various Ecosystems: Threats and Opportunities Agricultural Ecosystems One third of the world’s land area is used for food production and agricultural ecosystems can be found in almost every part of the world. As such, the impacts of climate change on agricultural biodiversity will be extensive and varied. Vulnerability to climate change Rapid population growth has led to a change from traditional to intensive agricultural systems . About 7,000 plant species have been cultivated for food since agriculture began about 12,000 years ago . Today, however, only about some plant species and animal species supply 90% of our food. Many traits incorporated into these modern crop varieties were introduced from wild relatives,improving their productivity and tolerance to pests, disease and difficult growing conditions .

18. Unfortunately, many wild races of staple food crops are endangered. For example , one quarter of all wild potato species are predicted to die out within 50 years, which could make it difficult for future plant breeders to ensure that commercial varieties can cope with a changing climate. impacts Climate change may affect plant growth and production by promoting the spread of pests and diseases. Other expected impacts include: • increased exposure to heat stress, • changes in rainfall patterns, • greater leaching of nutrients from the soil during intense rains, • greater erosion due to stronger winds, and • more wildfires in drier regions. The added heat stress and drier soils may reduce yields

19. Dry and Sub-humid Lands Ecosystems Dry and sub-humid lands, including arid and semi-arid areas, grasslands, savannahs, and Mediterranean landscapes, are home to 2 billion people (35% of the global population). These lands have great biological value and are home to many of the world’s food crops and livestock Drylands are particularly vulnerable to climate change because : 1 . Small changes in temperature and rainfall patterns can have serious impacts on the biodiversity of dry and sub-humid lands. 2 . Drylands are already under stress from various activities, including conversion to agriculture , the introduction of invasive species, alterations to fire regimes, and pollution. 3 . The impacts of climate change on drylands may have significant impacts on populations and economies. 4. Many people are highly dependent on drylands biodiversity. For example, about 70% of Africans depend directly on dry and subhumid lands for their daily livelihoods.

20. impacts Deserts are projected to become hotter and drier. Higher temperatures could threaten organisms that are already near their heat-tolerance limits. For example, climate change is likely to have serious impacts on the Succulent Karoo, the world’s richest arid hotspot, located in the southwestern part of South Africa and southern Namibia. This very sensitive region is highly affected by climate. Changes in rainfall patterns could also have serious impacts on drylands biodiversity . Climate change could increase the risk of wildfires, which could change the species composition and decrease biodiversity. Adaptation options Water is a limiting factor in drylands, and changes in water availability can have disproportionate effects on biodiversity. Hence, balancing human and wildlife needs for fresh water is essential to dry and sub-humid lands adaptation to climate change.

21. Forest Ecosystem Forests cover a third of the Earth's surface, and are estimated to contain as much as two thirds of all known terrestrial species. Forest ecosystems also provide a wide array of goods and services. In the last 8,000 years, about 45% of the Earth's original forest cover has been converted. Most of it was cleared during the past century. Vulnerability to climate change Forests are particularly vulnerable to climate change because: • Even small changes in temperature and precipitation can have significant effects on forest growth. It has been shown that an increase of 1 degree C in the temperature can modify the functioning and composition of forests • Many forest-dwelling large animals, half of the large primates, and nearly 9% of all known tree species are already at some risk of extinction • Woody tree species are less able to shift poleward with changing climatic conditions

22. impacts Growth in some forests may initially increase as carbon dioxide concentrations rise. However, climate change may force species to migrate or shift their ranges . Some species may die For example, in Canada , it is unlikely that white spruce populations will be able to migrate at a rate matching the pace of climate change. Moreover, forests could become increasingly threatened by pests and fires, making them more vulnerable to invasive species. For example, in England , insect pests that were previously unknown to the region because they would not have survived the winter frosts have been observed.

23. Contribution to climate change and mitigation options The conservation of forests is particularly important since they contain 80% of all the carbon stored in terrestrial vegetation . Deforestation and land-clearing activities emit about 1.7 billion metric tons of carbon per year into the atmosphere . Hence, the conservation of forests protect biodiversity and slow climate change. In addition, afforestation and reforestation can be used to enhance carbon sinks and reservoirs. Afforestation is defined as the direct human-induced conversion of land that either has not been forested for a period of at least 50 years or that has never been forested to forested land through planting, seeding, Reforestation refers to the replanting, seeding and/or the human-induced promotion of natural seed sources on land that was forested within the past 50 years.

24. Adaptation options Reducing the vulnerabilities forests currently face can help build resilience against climate change impacts. Other activities that can increase resilience to climate change include: • avoiding habitat fragmentation, • preventing conversion to plantations, • practicing low-intensity forestry Inland Waters Ecosystems Inland water systems can be fresh or saline within continental and island boundaries. Inland waters are rich ecosystems. For example , fresh water makes up only 0.01% of the world's water and approximately 0.8% of the Earth's surface, yet it supports at least 100,000 species (almost 6% of all described species). Biodiversity of inland waters is an important source of food, income and livelihood . Other values of these ecosystems include: maintenance of hydrological balance, retention of nutrients and sediments, and provision of habitats for various flora and fauna.

25. Vulnerability to climate change Inland water ecosystems are likely to be negatively affected by climate change because: • More than 20% of the world’s freshwater fish species have become extinct, threatened or endangered in recent decades. Freshwater species are experiencing declines in biodiversity far greater than those in most terrestrial ecosystems. • Changing rainfall and ice melt patterns will result in changing flow regimes in many rivers and lakes. This will affect the spawning and feeding habits of many species. • Human responses to climate change could exacerbate the negative impacts on many wetlands. For example , warmer climate are likely to increase demand of fresh water decreased flow in rivers, causing a loss of ecosystem services

26. impacts Climate-related changes in the hydrological regime will affect inland water ecosystems. Responses of lakes and streams to climate change include: • warming of rivers, • reductions in ice cover, • altered mixing regimes, • alterations in flow regimes, greater frequencies of extreme events, including flood and drought . These responses are likely to lead to: • changes in growth, reproduction, and distribution of lake and stream biodiversity • the poleward movement of some organisms • changes in the reproduction of migratory birds that depend on lakes and streams for their breeding cycle

27. Contribution to climate change and mitigation options Wetlands are the world's primary carbon sequestration mechanism, especially in the peatlands of the boreal regions , and tropical peat swamps and forests . Draining and drying these can release both carbon dioxide and methane , adding to the level of greenhouse gases. Actions that avoid degradation of these wetlands, and thus the potential release of greenhouse gases, are beneficial mitigation options.

28. Island Ecosystems Islands are often characterized by a very rich biodiversity , upon which local people rely economically. Island ecosystems are also very fragile. An estimated 75% of animal species and 90% of bird species that have become extinct since the 17th century are insular . Furthermore, 23% of island species are at present considered endangered, whereas the corresponding figure for the rest of the world is 11%. vulnerable to climate change because : • Island species populations tend to be small, localized, and highly specialized, and thus can easily be driven to extinction. • Coral reefs, which provide a number of services to island people, are highly sensitive to temperature and chemical changes in seawater.

29. In addition, small island developing States are particularly vulnerable to climate change because of their physical, socio-political and economic characteristics. For example, in the Maldives, 50 to 80% of the land area is less than 1 metre above sea level. Any storm or rise in sea level has direct negative impacts on the population and ecosystems of such islands. impacts The main threat to island ecosystems projected rise in sea level. increased frequency and/or intensity of storms, reductions in rainfall in some regions, and intolerably high temperatures. Increases in sea surface temperatures and changes in water chemistry can cause large-scale coral bleaching, increasing the probability of coral death. The tourism sector, which is an important source of employment and economic growth for many islands , will likely be affected through loss of beaches, flooding , and associated damage to critical infrastructures.

30. Adaptation options Many island species provide vital goods and services, such as protection against extreme climatic events. For example, coral reefs act as natural breakwaters along the coast, and they provide habitat for marine animals and reef fish, generating revenues from tourists who engage in scuba diving. Marine and Coastal Ecosystems Oceans cover 70% of the Earth’s surface area, forming the largest habitat on Earth, while coastal areas contain some of the world’s most diverse and productive ecosystems, including mangroves, coral reefs, and sea grass beds. Coral reefs , provide about US$ 30 billion worth of benefits in goods and services. impacts vulnerable to the impacts of climate change face stresses, overharvesting, habitat destruction from commercial fisheries, coastal development, and pollution .

31. impacts Potential impacts of climate change and sea level rise on marine and coastal ecosystems include: • increased coastal erosion, • more extensive coastal flooding, • higher storm surge flooding, • landward intrusion of seawater in estuaries and aquifers, • higher sea-surface temperatures, and • reduced sea-ice cover. These changes are likely to affect species’ composition and distribution.

32. Adaptation options Many coastal ecosystems, such as coral reefs, sea grass beds, salt marshes, and mangroves, provide significant coastal protection For example, mangroves provide protection against cyclones, storms, and tides. Unfortunately, many mangroves are already under stress from excessive exploitation, reducing resilience to the projected sea-level rise.

33. Mountain Ecosystems Mountain environments cover about 27% of the Earth’s surface and support 22% of the world’s people. Many species adapt and specialize in these ecosystems, providing essential goods and services to people living in mountain regions. Vulnerability to climate change Mountain regions are already under stress from various human activities, such as overgrazing, abandonment or inappropriate land management, reducing their natural resilience to climate change. Mountain species also have a very limited capacity to move to higher altitudes in response to warming temperatures. This is especially true of “mountain islands”, which are often dominated by endemic species.

34. impacts Climate change has serious impacts on mountain ecosystems sometimes disappearance of alpine species that become trapped on mountain summits. For example , in the Alps, some plant species have been migrating upward by one to four metres per decade, and some plants disappeared Moreover, the shrinking of glaciers modifies the water-holding capacities of mountains, thus affecting downstream ecosystems. Adaptation options Activities that link upland and lowland management strategies can provide adaptation benefits. These include mountain watershed management and the establishment of migration corridors, both horizontal and vertical. Other adaptive activities include rehabilitating damaged ecosystems, reducing pressures on biodiversity, and avoiding deforestation

35. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change The IPCC was created to provide policymakers with regular scientific assessments on climate change, its implications and potential future risks, as well as to put forward adaptation and mitigation options. The IPCC determines the state of knowledge on climate change. It identifies where there is agreement in the scientific community on topics related to climate change, and where further research is needed. The reports are drafted and reviewed in several stages, thus guaranteeing objectivity and transparency.  

36. The IPCC does not conduct its own research. IPCC reports are neutral, policy-relevant but not policy-prescriptive.  The assessment reports are a key input into the international negotiations to tackle climate change. Created by the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988, the IPCC  has 195 Member countries.  

37. Reports The IPCC prepares comprehensive Assessment Reports about the state of scientific, technical and socio-economic knowledge on climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for reducing the rate at which climate change is taking place. It also produces Special Reports on topics agreed to by its member governments, as well as Methodology Reports that provide guidelines for the preparation of greenhouse gas inventories.

38. Activities The main activity of the IPCC is the preparation of reports assessing the state of knowledge of climate change. These include assessment reports, special reports and methodology reports. To deliver this work programme , the IPCC holds meetings of its government representatives, convening as plenary sessions of the Panel or IPCC Working Groups to approve, adopt and accept reports. Plenary Sessions of the IPCC also determine the IPCC work programme , and other business including its budget and outlines of reports.  The IPCC Bureau meets regularly to provide guidance to the Panel on scientific and technical aspects of its work.

39. The IPCC organizes scoping meetings of experts and meetings of lead authors to prepare reports. It organizes expert meetings and workshops on various topics to support its work programme , and publishes the proceedings of these meetings.   To communicate its findings and explain its work, the IPCC takes part in outreach activities organized by the IPCC or hosted by other organizations, and provides speakers to other conferences. More information on sessions of the IPCC, its Working Groups and the Bureau can be found in the 

40. Working Groups and Task Force IPCC assessments and special reports are prepared by three Working Groups, each looking at a different aspect of the science related to climate change: Working Group I (The Physical Science Basis), Working Group II (Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability), and Working Group III (Mitigation of Climate Change). The IPCC also has a Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, whose main objective is to develop and refine a methodology for the calculation and reporting of national greenhouse gas emissions and removals. The Working Groups and Task Force handle the preparation of reports, selecting and managing the experts that work on them as authors. The activities of each Working Group and the Task Force are supported by their Technical Support Units (TSU)

41. OBJECTIVE The IPCC provides regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation Created in 1988 by the  World Meteorological Organization  (WMO) and the  United Nations Environment Programme  (UNEP), The objective of the IPCC is to provide governments at all levels with scientific information that they can use to develop climate policies. IPCC reports are also a key input into international climate change negotiations. The IPCC is an organization of governments that are members of the United Nations or WMO.

42. The IPCC currently has  195 members . Thousands of people from all over the world contribute to the work of the IPCC. For the assessment reports, IPCC scientists volunteer their time to assess the thousands of scientific papers published each year to provide a comprehensive summary of what is known about the drivers of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and how adaptation and mitigation can reduce those risks. An open and transparent review by experts and governments around the world is an essential part of the IPCC process, to ensure an objective and complete assessment and to reflect a diverse range of views and expertise. Through its assessments, the IPCC identifies the strength of scientific agreement in different areas and indicates where further research is needed. The IPCC does not conduct its own research.