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How Does Global Warming Affect Animals

What is Global Warming?
Global warming is the names given to the increase in the Earth’s surface temperature. It is caused by the collection of greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrous oxide, and methane, in the Earth’s atmosphere. The Greenhouse Effect is where excess heat and light form the sun is trapped within the earth’s atmosphere instead of escaping into space. The term Global Warming was first coined by scientists and meteorologists in the mid 20th century. Since then investigations have been undertaken to determine what is causing the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The increase in these gases can be traced back to human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation.

How Does Global Warming affect Animals?
Animals become affected by global warming due to changes in their habitats caused by changes in climate.

Temperature Changes
The changes in temperature caused by global warming will have a number of effects on the habitats of animals. The melting ice will cause the loss of habitat for species such as the polar bear. Warmer water will also cause the population of fish such as trout and salmon to decline. Coral bleaching is already occurring on many coral reefs due to the rise in water temperature. This disrupts the ecosystem of many marine creatures. Changes in temperature will also cause many species to become extinct as they are not able to adapt quickly enough to rises in temperature.

Food and Water
Too much as well as too little water has drastic effects on the environment and in turn animal species. Floods cause water quality to drop and wash away nutrients that are important for plant growth, whereas droughts cause plant and animal life to die out affecting food chains. Changes in climate also affect when plants bloom and produce fruits and seeds which are an important food source for many animals.

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