Global warming

Definition

Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, primarily the emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. This phenomenon has significant implications for ecosystems and species distributions as climate patterns shift, leading to alterations in habitat conditions and species interactions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Global warming is primarily driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
2. The rise in global temperatures can lead to more extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, droughts, and heatwaves, impacting both natural and human systems.
3. Ecosystems are affected by global warming as species may migrate toward cooler areas or face extinction if they cannot adapt quickly enough to changing climates.
4. Sea levels are rising due to the melting of ice caps and glaciers as well as the thermal expansion of seawater, threatening coastal habitats and human settlements.
5. Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can disrupt food chains and ecological relationships, leading to shifts in species distributions and biodiversity.

Review Questions

• How does global warming affect ecosystems and species distributions?
  • Global warming impacts ecosystems by altering habitat conditions through temperature increases and changes in precipitation patterns. As a result, many species must migrate to cooler areas or adapt to new environmental conditions. If they cannot do so quickly enough, it can lead to population declines or extinctions. These shifts in species distributions affect ecological interactions, such as predator-prey relationships and competition for resources.
• Discuss the relationship between global warming and biodiversity loss.
  • Global warming is closely linked to biodiversity loss as rising temperatures and changing climates threaten many species' habitats. As ecosystems become unstable, species that cannot adapt or migrate face extinction. The reduction in biodiversity undermines ecosystem resilience, making it more difficult for remaining species to survive. This creates a cycle where global warming exacerbates biodiversity loss, further impacting ecosystems' ability to function.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of global warming on Earth's climatic systems and human populations.
  • The long-term implications of global warming on Earth's climatic systems include persistent changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, resulting in more frequent and severe weather events. These changes threaten agricultural productivity, water supply, and public health. Human populations, especially those in vulnerable areas such as coastal regions or those reliant on specific agricultural practices, will face increasing challenges related to food security and habitat displacement. Addressing these impacts requires global cooperation and proactive measures to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

Related terms

greenhouse effect: The process by which certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat, preventing it from escaping into space and thus warming the planet.

climate change: A broader term that encompasses long-term changes in temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, and other elements of the Earth's climate system, often linked to global warming.

biodiversity loss:

The decline in the variety of life within a given ecosystem, which can be exacerbated by global warming as species struggle to adapt to changing environmental conditions.