Climate change

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.
1. Increase ecosystem productivity: Each species in an ecosystem has a specific niche –
a role to play
2. Support a larger number of plant species and therefore a greater variety of crops
3. Protect freshwater resources
4. Promote soils formation and protection
5. Provide for nutrient storage and recycling
6. Aid in breaking down pollutants
7. Contribute to climate stability
8. Speed recovery from natural disaster
9. Provide more food resources
10. Provide more medical resources and pharmaceutical drugs
11. Offer environments for recreation and tourisms
12. Provide more values to consumptive uses like Food, fuel drugs, Fibre etc.
13. 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, post control, waste water treatment and many
ecosystem services.
Causes of Biodiversity loss:
 Climate change
 Pollution
 Destruction of habitats
 Invasive alien species
 Over exploitation of natural environment
 Extraction of species
 Proliferation of pests
 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 depend on.
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
perhaps destroy ecosystems on coastlines. Changes in temperatures, as already
predicted by IPCC’s reports, will also cause shifts in mating cycles, especially
for migratory animals that rely on changing seasons to indicate their migration
and reproductive timing.

6. 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.

7. The impacts of climate change, we mostly hear about
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

8. 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 taken precaution measures with
about one-third of the world’s marine biodiversity going to end
Then there is a domino effect, as reefs fail so will other
ecosystems. 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.

9. 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 biophysical
environment such as changes in the start and length of the seasons,
glacial retreat, decrease in Arctic sea ice extent and a rise in sea
level.
These changes had impact on biodiversity at the species
level, in term of phenology, distribution & populations, and
ecosystem level in terms of distribution, composition & function.

10. Climate Impact on Change's Environment
Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, absorb heat from
sunlight, preventing it from escaping back into space. As the level of
greenhouse gases rises, so will temperatures.
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.
Effects on Land Biodiversity
Rising temperatures already affect the world's polar regions.
Diminishing ice packs reduce the habitats of polar bears, penguins,
puffins, and other Arctic creatures.
As the ice melts, it increases the sea level, which will affect and
perhaps destroy ecosystems on coastlines. Changes in temperatures
will also cause shifts in mating cycles, especially for migratory animals
and reproductive timing.

11. Effects on Ocean Biodiversity
Rising sea levels will also cause changes to ocean temperatures and
perhaps even currents. Such changes would have a strong impact on
zooplankton, an essential part of the food chain in the ocean.
Shifts in where plankton live and how big the size of their populations
could upset the biodiversity in the Earth's waters.
Whales, especially, could bear the brunt of this, as many whale species
require mass amounts of plankton to survive. In addition, increased carbon
dioxide causes acidification of the ocean, affecting creatures and plants that are
sensitive to pH imbalances.
Lack of Biodiversity
As biodiversity decreases, there will be far-reaching effects. 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.
Additionally, this may decrease humanity's ability to produce medicine,
as extinction claims more and more key plant species. Biodiversity also protects
against natural disasters, such as grasses that have evolved specifically to resist
the spread of wildfires.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. Biodiversity to reduce the impacts of climate
The resilience of ecosystems can be enhanced and the risk of damage to
human and natural ecosystems reduced through the adoption of biodiversity-based
adaptive and mitigative strategies. 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.

15. 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.

16. . 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

17. 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:
• Small changes in temperature and rainfall patterns can have serious impacts
on the biodiversity of dry and sub-humid lands.
• Drylands are already under stress from various activities, including
conversion to agriculture, the introduction of invasive species, alterations to
fire regimes, and pollution.
The impacts of climate change on drylands may have significant
impacts on populations and economies. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. 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.

31. 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.

32. 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

33. 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.

34.  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.

35. 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.

36. 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.

37. • 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

38. 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)

39. 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.

40. 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.