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Response of wildlife to climate change

Response of wildlife to climate change. Blog : http://loddi.free.fr/netclass. R é mi Meynier ( meynier@enst.fr ) ENST Netclass – 2007. Outline. Focus Polar bears Tree line Antarctic penguins. Context Methodology & Issues Phenology Distribution range Adaptation and Extinction

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Response of wildlife to climate change

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  1. Response of wildlifeto climate change Blog : http://loddi.free.fr/netclass Rémi Meynier (meynier@enst.fr) ENST Netclass – 2007

  2. Outline • Focus • Polar bears • Tree line • Antarctic penguins • Context • Methodology & Issues • Phenology • Distribution range • Adaptation and Extinction • Global Observations

  3. Context • Earth climate is warming • Whatever the cause • Rapid recent evolution • Study of its consequences • On wildlife • Understand the links between climate change and the effects • Estimate the future evolution

  4. Context • Blog : http://loddi.free.fr/netclass

  5. Phenology • Study of recurring natural phenomena • Emergence of leaves and flowers • Appearance of migratory birds • Dates of egg-laying • Indicates the time frame for seasonal activity • Relevant record for studying climate change

  6. Distribution range • Localization of species • Observe geographical shifts • Species moving to suitable environment • Understanding large scale shifts • Studies based on local shifts • Studies based on mixed populations

  7. Adaptation and Extinction • Physiological change • Animal metabolism and growth • Plant photosynthesis and composition • Adaptation for short term life cycle species • Genetic change • Species are already vanishing

  8. Global Observations • Main effects on phenology and distribution • Phenology • Blooming and grape harvests come earlier • Date of appearance of first butterflies advances • Interactions between species • Predators and prey • Distribution in non-polar regions • Movement following temperature line toward poles and upward in elevation • Mountain species the most vulnerable

  9. Global Observations • Distribution in polar regions • Highest turnover • Arctic sea birds critically endangered • Evolutionary response • Warm-adapted fruit fly genotypes • Not a strong enough response to mitigate distribution shifts • Uncertainties in climate change scenarios

  10. focus

  11. FocusPolar Bears • Sea ice melting • Less living space • Shortening hunting season • Consequences • Weight loss and fewer cubs • Long distance swimming • Cannibalism Considered a vulnerable species

  12. FocusTree Line • Limit beyond which trees do not grow • Observations • Tree line moving northward and upward • Tundra losing ground • Recent accelerated movement • Linked to temperatures warming • “Positive feedback” effect Vegetation response may be significant

  13. FocusAntarctic Penguins • Most southern species • Depend on sea ice areas for hunting • Sea ice sensitive to temperature change • Precise satellite monitoring

  14. FocusEmperor Penguins • Need solid ice for breeding • Thinning ice is an issue for some colonies • Northern colonies have declined • Southern colonies remain stable

  15. FocusAdelie Penguins • Data over the last 35,000 years • Bones are well conserved in ice • Indication of breeding sites • Need ice free sites with rocks to breed • Phenomena benefiting penguins • Glaciers retreating • Ice breaking • Shift to southern areas

  16. FocusAdelie penguins

  17. Questions Thanks for your attention!

  18. FocusCoral Reefs • “Rain forests of the ocean” • Highly sensitive to temperature change • Bleaching • Unquestioned major consequence of El Niño • Doubt about slow long-term evolution • Some species more tolerant to temperature rise • Some species stronger against acidification • Uncertain response of the whole ecosystem

  19. FocusAmphibians • Observed population breakdown since 1980 • 43% of 5743 species in decline, 32% under threat, 168 extinct • Debate about the influence of various factors • Global warming • Infectious disease – chytid fungus • Recent new proof • Rain forests reserves suffer from warming • Addition and combination of the factors depending on the area of study

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