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11 effects on terrestrial systems

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The document discusses how climate change is affecting terrestrial ecosystems. It notes that temperature and precipitation determine the distribution of biomes, and that climate change is causing biomes to shift locations as conditions change. Forests currently occupy about one third of U.S. land but are predicted to migrate or shrink substantially due to warming temperatures and changing rainfall patterns. Grasslands are also expected to transition to deserts or shrublands in many areas.

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Climate Change Effects on Terrestrial Ecosystems Temperature, precipitation, latitude and altitude all determine distribution of major terrestrial ecosystems (biomes). Plants found within the different biomes are influenced by soil type, watershed conditions, and amount of sunlight. Specific combinations of temperatures and precipitation ensure the survival and thriving of plants (and animals) within a given environment (known as climate space).
Effects on Terrestrial Ecosystems Integral part of global carbon system Plants take in and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis Microbes decompose organic matter and release organic carbon back into the atmosphere
Effects on Terrestrial Ecosystems Forests occupy major portions of land mass in different countries. In the U.S. forests occupy 33% of the land mass Forests have many functions: Provides habitat for plants and animals Influence amount of and availability of water runoff Provide sites for recreation Provide timber for harvesting lumber; wood pulp, fire wood for fuel Total commercial valued in U.S. = $290 billion
Forests Evolve 18,000 years ago the Laurentide Ice Sheet began to retreat (melt), eventually leaving a rocky and relatively lifeless ecosystem.
Forests Evolve Pioneer plants such as lichens emerged, and started to breakdown exposed rock into soil. Still windy, blew the soil around (loess) – provided habitats for small plants to grow (biochemical weathering) Mosses, grasses, and then eventually shrubs and trees.
Forests Evolve Primary succession – how forests first emerge.
Forests Evolve Secondary succession – how forests continue to evolve. Faster than primary succession because the soil is already there. Fire can play an important role.
Geographic distribution of biomes are dependent on temperature, precipitation, altitude and latitude Weather patterns dictate the type of plants that will dominate an ecosystem Major Biomes
Present Day Biomes
Major Biomes and Their Vegetation Tundra – lichens, mosses, grasses and shrubs (no trees).
Alaska Greenland Iceland Siberia Canada Tundra N. Europe
Major Biomes and Their Vegetation Taiga (Boreal Forest) – Coniferous evergreens.
Boreal Forest (Taiga) Canada Europe Asia S.W. U.S
Major Biomes and Their Vegetation Temperate Forests – includes evergreens (spruce), deciduous forests (oaks), and temperate rain forests (sequoias).
Temperate Forests Four types: 1. deciduous forests 2. evergreen forests 3. mixed deciduous and evergreen 4. temperate rain forests
Major Biomes and Their Vegetation Tropical Rainforests – greatest biological diversity; vines, orchids, palms, etc.
Tropical Forests Tropical rainforests: Cover less than 6% of Earth’s land surface Produce more than 40% of Earth’s oxygen Contain more than half of all the worlds plants and animals ¼ of all medicines come from rainforest plants Scientists believe more than 1400 tropical plants thought to be potential cures to cancer
Major Biomes and Their Vegetation Grasslands – grasses, prairie clover.
Grasslands
Major Biomes and Their Vegetation Deserts – Cacti, small bushes.
Deserts
Global Distribution of Vegetation 18,000 years ago conifers tundra taiga grassland woodland Biomes Through Time
Global Distribution of Vegetation 6,000 years ago taiga temperate deciduous woods & scrub conifers grassland desert tundra cold deciduous Biomes Through Time
Biomes Through Time Global Distribution of Vegetation - Present taiga tundra temperate deciduous grassland cold deciduous tropical R.F. warm mix
Biomes Through Time 18,000 years ago spruce trees and oak trees filled small pockets of habitat – as climates warmed spruce trees migrated into the Northern Hemispheres and the oak trees expanded in to Southeastern U.S., Western Europe and Southern Europe. Shifts in vegetation occurred slowly - tree species were able to successfully expand into favorable regions.
Arid deserts in Southwestern U.S. will shrink as precipitation increases. Savanna/shrub/woodland systems will replace grasslands in the Great Plains Eastern U.S. – forests will expand northerly – weather conditions will become more severe. Southeastern U.S. – increasing droughts will bring more fires – triggering a rapid change from broadleaf forests to Savannas. Future Biome Changes? Present day Predicted Distribution forest forest grassland grassland arid woodland shrub land shrub land woodland grassland grassland
Loss of existing habitat that could occur under doubling of CO 2 concentration. Shades of red indicate percentage of vegetation models that predicted a change in biome type. Future Biome Changes?
Projected Changes It is predicted that at the end of this century there will be large scale shifts in the global distribution of vegetation in response to anthropogenic climate change. With man doubling the amount of carbon dioxide entering into the atmosphere the climate is changing more rapidly then plant migration can keep up. Current distribution 2 x CO 2 distribution
Research indicates the greatest amount of change will occur at the higher latitudes Northern Canada and Alaska are already experiencing rapid warming and reduction of ice cover Vegetation existing in these areas will be replaced with temperate forest species Tundra, Taiga and Temperate forests will migrate pole ward Some plants will face extinction because habitat will become too small (ex. Mountain tops of European Alps) Boreal and Alpine Vegetation
Distribution of Sugar Maple in Eastern North America will change due to an increase in temperature and a decrease in moisture, shifting further northeast. Present range Present range New range New range Overlap Range changes based on Ranges changes based on temperature alone. temperature and precipitation estimates. Future Biome Changes?
Wet western slope will shrink and be replaced by pine and oak Eastern slope will become drier and shift to Juniper and Sagebrush Western Hemlock and Douglas fir found on Western slope Douglas Fir found in wet coastal mountains of CA and OR will shrink in low lands and be replaced by Western pine species which are more drought tolerant. Overall Western U.S. climate is predicted to shift to favor more drought tolerant species of pine. Other Predictions
Grassland will change to deserts or shrub lands Exposing greater amounts of soil Increasing soil temperature – poor nitrogen content – poor plant growth Barren soil exposed to winds and transported into atmosphere as dust (could lead to cooling, or, if dark particles, could increase warming). Models of: Climate change Plant growth Soil – water Predict shifts in distribution of major North American prairie grasses over a 40 year period. Grasslands?
Increase in Forest Fires Frequency of forest fires will increase, reducing total American boreal forest area.
35% of worlds existing terrestrial habitat already thought to be altered . Studies found that deforestation in different areas of the globe affects rainfall patterns over a considerable region Deforestation in the Amazon region of South America (Amazonian) influences rainfall from Mexico to Texas and in the Gulf of Mexico Deforesting lands in Central Africa affects precipitation in the upper and lower U.S. Midwest Consequences?
Life-cycles of plants and animals have been affected by global change Temperatures affecting plants growing season, flowering time and timing of pollination by insects have all been altered Studies already showing Mediterranean deciduous plants now leaf 16 days earlier and fall 13 days later than 50 years ago Plants in temperate zones flowering time occurring earlier in the season Growing season increased in Eurasia 18 days and 12 days in N. America over past two decades Phenological Changes
Phenological Changes
Artificial seed dispersal and transplantation into climatically suitable regions May help in preserving vegetation under stress Problem: soil in new areas unsuitable Massive reforestation to help get rid of added CO 2 brought on by man Problem: it’s estimated to keep up with emissions efforts will need to be doubled or tripled costing hundreds and millions of dollars Believed to take up to 100 years to reforest 40% of the U.S. forest land New technologies of: plant breeding, bioengineering, fertilization, irrigation, may aid in migration. Social, economic and political needs must be addressed or any conservation efforts will fail. Thoughts on Conservation

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11 effects on terrestrial systems

  • 1. Climate Change Effects on Terrestrial Ecosystems Temperature, precipitation, latitude and altitude all determine distribution of major terrestrial ecosystems (biomes). Plants found within the different biomes are influenced by soil type, watershed conditions, and amount of sunlight. Specific combinations of temperatures and precipitation ensure the survival and thriving of plants (and animals) within a given environment (known as climate space).
  • 2. Effects on Terrestrial Ecosystems Integral part of global carbon system Plants take in and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis Microbes decompose organic matter and release organic carbon back into the atmosphere
  • 3. Effects on Terrestrial Ecosystems Forests occupy major portions of land mass in different countries. In the U.S. forests occupy 33% of the land mass Forests have many functions: Provides habitat for plants and animals Influence amount of and availability of water runoff Provide sites for recreation Provide timber for harvesting lumber; wood pulp, fire wood for fuel Total commercial valued in U.S. = $290 billion
  • 4. Forests Evolve 18,000 years ago the Laurentide Ice Sheet began to retreat (melt), eventually leaving a rocky and relatively lifeless ecosystem.
  • 5. Forests Evolve Pioneer plants such as lichens emerged, and started to breakdown exposed rock into soil. Still windy, blew the soil around (loess) – provided habitats for small plants to grow (biochemical weathering) Mosses, grasses, and then eventually shrubs and trees.
  • 6. Forests Evolve Primary succession – how forests first emerge.
  • 7. Forests Evolve Secondary succession – how forests continue to evolve. Faster than primary succession because the soil is already there. Fire can play an important role.
  • 8. Geographic distribution of biomes are dependent on temperature, precipitation, altitude and latitude Weather patterns dictate the type of plants that will dominate an ecosystem Major Biomes
  • 10. Major Biomes and Their Vegetation Tundra – lichens, mosses, grasses and shrubs (no trees).
  • 11. Alaska Greenland Iceland Siberia Canada Tundra N. Europe
  • 12. Major Biomes and Their Vegetation Taiga (Boreal Forest) – Coniferous evergreens.
  • 13. Boreal Forest (Taiga) Canada Europe Asia S.W. U.S
  • 14. Major Biomes and Their Vegetation Temperate Forests – includes evergreens (spruce), deciduous forests (oaks), and temperate rain forests (sequoias).
  • 15. Temperate Forests Four types: 1. deciduous forests 2. evergreen forests 3. mixed deciduous and evergreen 4. temperate rain forests
  • 16. Major Biomes and Their Vegetation Tropical Rainforests – greatest biological diversity; vines, orchids, palms, etc.
  • 17. Tropical Forests Tropical rainforests: Cover less than 6% of Earth’s land surface Produce more than 40% of Earth’s oxygen Contain more than half of all the worlds plants and animals ¼ of all medicines come from rainforest plants Scientists believe more than 1400 tropical plants thought to be potential cures to cancer
  • 18. Major Biomes and Their Vegetation Grasslands – grasses, prairie clover.
  • 20. Major Biomes and Their Vegetation Deserts – Cacti, small bushes.
  • 22. Global Distribution of Vegetation 18,000 years ago conifers tundra taiga grassland woodland Biomes Through Time
  • 23. Global Distribution of Vegetation 6,000 years ago taiga temperate deciduous woods & scrub conifers grassland desert tundra cold deciduous Biomes Through Time
  • 24. Biomes Through Time Global Distribution of Vegetation - Present taiga tundra temperate deciduous grassland cold deciduous tropical R.F. warm mix
  • 25. Biomes Through Time 18,000 years ago spruce trees and oak trees filled small pockets of habitat – as climates warmed spruce trees migrated into the Northern Hemispheres and the oak trees expanded in to Southeastern U.S., Western Europe and Southern Europe. Shifts in vegetation occurred slowly - tree species were able to successfully expand into favorable regions.
  • 26. Arid deserts in Southwestern U.S. will shrink as precipitation increases. Savanna/shrub/woodland systems will replace grasslands in the Great Plains Eastern U.S. – forests will expand northerly – weather conditions will become more severe. Southeastern U.S. – increasing droughts will bring more fires – triggering a rapid change from broadleaf forests to Savannas. Future Biome Changes? Present day Predicted Distribution forest forest grassland grassland arid woodland shrub land shrub land woodland grassland grassland
  • 27. Loss of existing habitat that could occur under doubling of CO 2 concentration. Shades of red indicate percentage of vegetation models that predicted a change in biome type. Future Biome Changes?
  • 28. Projected Changes It is predicted that at the end of this century there will be large scale shifts in the global distribution of vegetation in response to anthropogenic climate change. With man doubling the amount of carbon dioxide entering into the atmosphere the climate is changing more rapidly then plant migration can keep up. Current distribution 2 x CO 2 distribution
  • 29. Research indicates the greatest amount of change will occur at the higher latitudes Northern Canada and Alaska are already experiencing rapid warming and reduction of ice cover Vegetation existing in these areas will be replaced with temperate forest species Tundra, Taiga and Temperate forests will migrate pole ward Some plants will face extinction because habitat will become too small (ex. Mountain tops of European Alps) Boreal and Alpine Vegetation
  • 30. Distribution of Sugar Maple in Eastern North America will change due to an increase in temperature and a decrease in moisture, shifting further northeast. Present range Present range New range New range Overlap Range changes based on Ranges changes based on temperature alone. temperature and precipitation estimates. Future Biome Changes?
  • 31. Wet western slope will shrink and be replaced by pine and oak Eastern slope will become drier and shift to Juniper and Sagebrush Western Hemlock and Douglas fir found on Western slope Douglas Fir found in wet coastal mountains of CA and OR will shrink in low lands and be replaced by Western pine species which are more drought tolerant. Overall Western U.S. climate is predicted to shift to favor more drought tolerant species of pine. Other Predictions
  • 32. Grassland will change to deserts or shrub lands Exposing greater amounts of soil Increasing soil temperature – poor nitrogen content – poor plant growth Barren soil exposed to winds and transported into atmosphere as dust (could lead to cooling, or, if dark particles, could increase warming). Models of: Climate change Plant growth Soil – water Predict shifts in distribution of major North American prairie grasses over a 40 year period. Grasslands?
  • 33. Increase in Forest Fires Frequency of forest fires will increase, reducing total American boreal forest area.
  • 34. 35% of worlds existing terrestrial habitat already thought to be altered . Studies found that deforestation in different areas of the globe affects rainfall patterns over a considerable region Deforestation in the Amazon region of South America (Amazonian) influences rainfall from Mexico to Texas and in the Gulf of Mexico Deforesting lands in Central Africa affects precipitation in the upper and lower U.S. Midwest Consequences?
  • 35. Life-cycles of plants and animals have been affected by global change Temperatures affecting plants growing season, flowering time and timing of pollination by insects have all been altered Studies already showing Mediterranean deciduous plants now leaf 16 days earlier and fall 13 days later than 50 years ago Plants in temperate zones flowering time occurring earlier in the season Growing season increased in Eurasia 18 days and 12 days in N. America over past two decades Phenological Changes
  • 37. Artificial seed dispersal and transplantation into climatically suitable regions May help in preserving vegetation under stress Problem: soil in new areas unsuitable Massive reforestation to help get rid of added CO 2 brought on by man Problem: it’s estimated to keep up with emissions efforts will need to be doubled or tripled costing hundreds and millions of dollars Believed to take up to 100 years to reforest 40% of the U.S. forest land New technologies of: plant breeding, bioengineering, fertilization, irrigation, may aid in migration. Social, economic and political needs must be addressed or any conservation efforts will fail. Thoughts on Conservation