Climate change has more effects than just habitat destruction, and smog levels. Minor changes in temperature create large scale effects in the timing of animals basic biology.

1. Climate Change
&
Behavior Change

2. Primer on Climate Change
The global average temperature has
increased by more than 1.5°F since the late
1800s.[2] Some regions of the world have
warmed by more than twice this amount. The
buildup of greenhouse gases in our
atmosphere and the warming of the planet
are responsible for other changes, such as:
https://www.epa.gov/climate-change-science/overview-climate-change-science

3. Effects
Changing temperature and precipitation
patterns [1][2]
Increases in ocean temperatures, sea level,
and acidity
Melting of glaciers and sea ice [1]
Changes in the frequency, intensity, and
duration of extreme weather events
Shifts in ecosystem characteristics, like the
length of the growing season, timing of
flower blooms, and migration of birds
Increasing effects on human health and
well-being

4. Canadian red squirrels are breeding about 18 days earlier.
Red foxes are spreading northward, encroaching on territory normally occupied by their arctic cousins.
Polar bears today are thinner and less healthy than those of 20 years ago.
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/03/03/climate-change-turning-koalas-drink-scientists-find
Mammals

5. Coral reefs around the world are predicted to decrease by up to a third in size.
Elephant seal pups are leaner because their prey is
migrating to cooler waters.
Tidal organisms like rock barnacles, mollusks, and
tidal snails commonly found in warm southern waters
are moving northward.
Many fish species are moving northward in
search of cooler waters.
Sealife

6. The diet of some songbirds are changing, with some
avoiding insects that consume leaves exposed to high levels
of carbon dioxide.
North American tree swallows are laying their eggs about
nine days earlier than they did 40 years ago.
Common murres are breeding 24 days earlier than they did
a decade ago.
Birds

7. Plants
American flowering plants like
columbines and wild geraniums are
blooming earlier than before.
Some plants are thriving in areas
where their growth was limited
before, thanks to increased water,
heat and sunlight.

8. Insects
Edith's checkerspot butterflies are
moving northward in search of
cooler temperatures.
A gene in the fruitfly Drosophila
normally associated with hot, dry
conditions has spread to
populations living in traditionally
cooler southern regions.

9. Herps
North American Fowler's toads are breeding six days later than they
did a decade ago.
Loggerhead sea turtles are laying their eggs about 10 days earlier
than they did 15 years ago.
Rising temperatures are influencing the sex of Hawkbill turtle
hatchlings, with more females than males being born.
Gopher Tortoises are now going out of their burrows less or dying of
heat exhaustion
http://www.livescience.com/3863-animals-plants-adapting-climate-change.html

10. All things are connected

14. Effects on songbirds
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.go
v/pmc/articles/PMC278185
2/

15. ● They are migrating earlier than normal
○ Not enough food when they
reach their destination
● They are laying their eggs earlier than normal
○ Might be from lack of resources or
temperature selection
● The young are being born earlier than normal
○ The new hatchlings don’t have enough food

16. Desert Tortoise

17. Its well.. A Desert Tortoise

18. With increased temperatures the
adults are able to survive….

19. But the
hatchlings
simply
can’t...
They might
relocate
them

20. However,
Tortoises
are a
keystone
species