The Impact of Climate Change

on Ecosystem Structure
and Function
PRESENTATION BY:
Darshanie Jadubir
Rhema Jacob

LECTURER:
Mr. Phillip DaSilva

1
Introduction
PART 01

02
 ECOSYSTEM
An ecosystem is a geographic area where
plants, animals, and other organisms, as well as
weather and landscape, work together to form
a bubble of life.
(National Geographic, 2022)

Climate is the single most important factor

determining the geographic distributions of
species and major vegetation types.

It influences the properties of ecosystems and

the flows of energy and materials through
them.

03
(Malcolm & Pitelka, 2000)
 CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is a long-term change in the average

weather patterns that have come to define Earth’s local,
regional and global climates.

The term is frequently used interchangeably with the term

global warming, though the former refers to both human-
and naturally produced warming and the effects it has on
our planet.

Climate change is impacting ecosystems through:

changes in mean conditions and in climate variability,
coupled with other associated changes such as
increased ocean acidification and atmospheric carbon
dioxide concentrations.

(Shaftel,
2021)
04
Impacts of Climate Change
on Ecosystems Processes
PART 02

05
Changes in the
Earlier springs have led to earlier
Timing of Seasonal 01
nesting for 28 migratory bird species
on the East Coast of the United
Life Cycle Events States.

For many species, the climate where they 02 Northeastern birds that winter in the
live or spend part of the year influences southern United States are returning
key stages of their annual life cycle, such north in the spring 13 days earlier
as migration, blooming, and reproduction. than they did in a century ago.

In a California study, 16 out of 23

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butterfly species shifted their
migration timing and arrived earlier.

(EPA, 2017)
06
Range Shifts
As climatic zones shift, the species composition of
ecosystems will shift, depending on the ability of
organisms to tolerate the changing climate and colonize
climatically suitable areas.

These factors lead to local extinctions of both plants and

animals in some areas.

The geographic area of the arctic, alpine, and estuarine

ecosystems, in particular, may decline, resulting in
reduced populations of the organisms that inhabit these
ecosystems.

(EPA, 2017)
07
PLANTS
Many aspects related to climate change are
likely to affect forest growth and productivity:
increases in temperature,
changes in precipitation, and
increases in carbon dioxide (CO2).
Warming temperatures generally increase the
length of the growing season.
It also shifts the geographic ranges of some tree
species.
For example, boreal forests are invading tundra,
reducing habitat for the many unique species
that depend on the tundra ecosystem, such as
caribou, arctic foxes, and snowy owls.
(EPA, 2017)
ANIMALS
Some large mammals are able to tolerate a
wide range of climatic conditions
The distributions of many animals (such as
many birds) are more dependent on
features of the vegetation than on climate.
As a result, the effects of climate on these
animals may be largely indirect.
In general, climate is less important in
determining the distributions and physical
features of animals than it is for plants.
(EPA, 2017)
08
 Food Web
Disruptions

The impact of climate change on a particular species can

ripple through a food web and affect a wide range of other
organisms. 09
(EPA, 2017)
Impacts of Climate Change
on Ecosystems Functions
PART 03

10
Buffer and Threshold Effects
Ecosystems can serve as natural buffers from extreme events such as
wildfires, flooding, and drought.

Climate change and human modification may restrict ecosystems’

ability to temper the impacts of extreme conditions, and thus may
increase vulnerability to damage.

Examples include
reefs and barrier islands that protect coastal ecosystems from storm
surges,
wetland ecosystems that absorb floodwaters, and
cyclical wildfires that clear excess forest debris and reduce the risk of
dangerously large fires.

(EPA, 2017)
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Pathogens, Parasites, and Disease
Climate change and shifts in ecological conditions could support
the spread of pathogens, parasites, and diseases,

Potential serious effects on human health, agriculture, and fisheries.

Vectorborne Diseases, Temperature Impacts, Air Quality Impacts,

Water-Related Illnesses, Food Safety and Nutrition, Mental Health

Changes in the frequency and severity of droughts and floods could

pose challenges for farmers and ranchers and threaten food safety.

Warmer water temperatures are likely to cause the habitat ranges

of many fish and shellfish species to shift
(EPA, 2017)

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GUYANA
Both the increased rainfall and sea level
rise are contributing factors to increased
instances of flooding along the coast

The hinterland region is also affected by

flooding during intense precipitation
while an increase in temperature may
result in droughts and savannah fires.

(Harding, 2017)

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GUYANA
Specific threats associated with an increase in temperature and decrease in precipitation include:

Increase fires in the savannah affecting the homes of indigenous tribes, namely, the
Makushi, Wapishana, and Wai Wai;

Increase of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue

Changes in the evapotranspiration process, causing water deficits for agriculture, industrial
activities, and human consumption.

Extreme weather events increase intensity and frequency, resulting in the damage to
housing and other infrastructures, and disruption of the marine ecosystem, affecting the
fish industry

Droughts in southern Guyana

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(Harding, 2017)
GUYANA
Moreover, a series of threats are also associated with sea-level rise and an increase in heavy
rainfall:

Increase in spread of waterborne diseases and pests

Increase in flooding from ocean/rivers and excessive surface runoff as a result of intense
precipitation hence damaging infrastructure such as, housing, roads, energy generation and
transmission; agricultural lands; economic centers; and displacing large population.
Pollution of potable water systems
Decrease aquaculture activities resulting in a decrease in fish production.
Increase plant mortality due to waterlogging.

(Harding, 2017)

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Conclusion
There still is a high level of uncertainty concerning the effects of climate change on
ecosystem properties and processes.

This lack of understanding not only makes it difficult to predict ecosystem responses, but
also compromises the ability to manage ecosystems in order to mitigate, minimize, or
ameliorate the effects of climate change.

Climate change cannot be viewed in isolation but rather must be considered in the context
of other human-caused stresses on ecosystems

As a result, strategies for reducing the impacts of climate change on ecosystems should
focus on reducing existing pressures.

(Malcolm & Pitelka, 2000)

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REFERENCES

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