Wildlife Impacted by Changing Climate

Climate change brings with it widespread alterations in vegetation, habitat, and wildlife. Scientists have noted that plants start blooming earlier in springtime, animals migrate further north each year and move into higher altitude habitats. The dynamics and interactions that characterize many ecosystems are changing at an alarming pace.

A study by the Pew Center on Global Climate Change details specific cases in which wildlife has already started responding to a changing climate. The range of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) has extended Northward following increased temperatures and now its territories overlap with those of the Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus), a weaker species that may be displaced from its place in the ecosystem by the stronger red fox.

Scientists warn that the faster climate change progresses, the less able species are to adapt to new temperatures and changing habitats. And experts warn that over the next 100 years, global warming is expected to increase two to ten times as fast as its present rate.

Find out more:

• Pew Center on Global Climate Change (Pew Center)
• Arctic Climate Imact Assessment (WWF)
• Mitigating Climate Change in the Arctic (WWF)
• Guide to Climate Change (BBC News)
• Why Kyoto Matters (BBC News)
• Wildlife on the Hot Seat (NWF)
• Himalaya Glaciers Melt Unnoticed (BBC News)