Introduction
Global warming refers to the rise of the standard temperatures of the oceans and near-surface air of the earth. The temperatures of the global surface rose drastically in the 20th century. Global climate alteration is a great threat to biodiversity globally. Currently, more evidence is realized which connect global warming to unexpected alterations in water temperatures and air, timing of seasons and the levels of water. These new conditions have led to radical alterations within the ecosystem in the globe. When the ecosystem is altered, the animals and plants which have developed with them for several years cannot adjust fast enough to thrive. Global warming is a reality. This paper will discuss on the impact of global warming on biodiversity.
The globe is heating up and in the 20th century, the standard temperatures of the surface of the earth raised by approximately 0.6 degree Celsius. Most of these temperature increases were as a result of concentrated gases that were released as a result of human activities. Nevertheless, increase in temperatures or warming is anticipated to persist beyond the year 2100, despite the fact that emissions could be stopped. This is because of the huge heat capacity within the oceans and the large amount of carbon dioxide which is continually emitted into the atmosphere. Global warming has both negative and positive effects on plants and animals. The extensive agreement that world-wide temperatures will persist to increase has led some organizations, countries, individuals and states to employ specific responses. These responses which are implemented towards global warming are categorized into; mitigation of the resultant and impacts of glo9bal warming, geo-engineering to invalidate global warming and adjustment to the altering global surrounding (Policymakers 23).
According to the current research conducted by the U.S., global warming is real. Nevertheless, there are still disagreements between scientists and climatologists from all over the world as to the degree of human responsibility. In addition, global warming is a reality since the research carried out by the end the year 2008 show that a large number of researchers investigated accepted that in the last 2,000 years, the average world-wide temperatures have been increasing. Similarly, human activities are an important contributing factor in altering the average global temperatures ((Pachauri & Reisinger 18).
Impact of global warming on biodiversity
Global warming result from the effects of enhanced greenhouse gases emissions and it leads to global alterations to climate patterns and on biodiversity. Biodiversity refers to a measure of different forms of life and the species of the living organisms are the measuring determinant factors. Global warming impact positively on biodiversity since increased carbon dioxide concentrations enhance the growth and development of many distinct forms of plants. Basically, the major requirements of plant growth are carbon dioxide and water. Thus, increased release of carbon dioxide onto the atmosphere leads to increased growth rate of plants. For instance, an increase of the atmospheric gases especially carbon dioxide has been reported of stimulating the rate of photosynthesis by approximately 50 % based on the temperature (Policymakers 14).
Similarly, global warming has impacted on biodiversity positively through the following seasonal processes; trees producing leaves earlier and greening of vegetation earlier. In addition, animals have changed their time of hatching and laying eggs which has led to increased animal population. Therefore, despite the fact that some plants are drying due to global warming, others which are able to produce their leaves earlier are increasing. Similarly, vegetation which are greening earlier provide food to animals thus helping some animals to thrive in warming environment.
On the other hand, global warming is real and it also has negative impacts on biodiversity. It has been reported to have led to rise in sea level, alterations in agricultural production, ocean oxygen depletion and alterations of the variety of climate reliance disease organisms (Russel par. 7-9). For instance, decrease in agricultural production can be observed and is currently experienced by most of the countries. Therefore, most of the nations are forced to import agricultural products while others who are not in a position to import adequate amount of food have some of its people dying because of hunger. In addition, alterations on the variety of the climate reliance disease organisms that have been associated with the increase of disease prevalence rate of dengue fever and malaria have been encountered in many countries. Malaria has become a killer disease especially in the developing countries due to change of climate where the environment becomes a good breeding area for mosquitoes due to increased temperatures and humidity. Moreover, ocean oxygen depletion has been confirmed due to the increased death create of the aquatic living organisms. Depletion of oxygen in the oceans is as a result of industries dumping harmful and oxygen-depleting solid and liquid waste into the ocean. Oxygen in the oceans is also depleted as a result of industries or greenhouse releasing large amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which as a result increase the amount of the dissolved carbon dioxide into the oceans. Carbon dioxide dissolves in water forming carbonic that raises the PH value of the ocean to acid level (Jacobson 12). The dissolved carbon dioxide and heat which in the ocean last a long time before being fully omitted, despite a great reduction of emissions of the greenhouse gases.
Conclusion
Global warming is real and it has both negative and positive impacts on biodiversity. In addition, global warming is associated with unprecedented alterations within the water temperatures and air, timing of seasons and levels of water. Thus, these conditions result into radical alterations within the ecosystems. While the ecosystems are altered, plants and animals that develop with them for many years cannot adjust easily in order to survive. Therefore, global warming is easily substituting habitat devastation as the largest danger or threat to biodiversity. On the other hand, global warming has impacted on biodiversity positively where increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has led to increase in the rate of photosynthesis.
Works Cited
Jacobson, Mark. Studying ocean acidification with conservative, stable numerical schemes for nonequilibrium air-ocean exchange and ocean equilibrium chemistry. Journal of Geophysical Research, 110(D7) 2005: D07302.
Pachauri, Richard and Reisinger, Andrews. Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Geneva, Switzerland. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Policymakers. Climate Change 2007: Mitigation of Climate Change. Contribution of Working Group III to the fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Russel, Randy. The Greenhouse Effect and Greenhouse Gases. University Corporation for Atmospheric Research Windows to the Universe. 2007.