Effects of Global Warming and Climate Change on Marine Biodiversity
If we go by the reports published in journals and the daily newspapers, we can find that the rate of loss of marine biodiversity was never so high. The scientists say that most of the species are getting endangered for they are unable to adapt themselves with changes brought about by the reckless human activity. Global warming and climate change according to the scientists are primarily the results of human activities. Rise in the sea and ocean temperatures have disturbed marine life and poses serious threat to oceanic biodiversity.
Carbon emissions have increased as a result of emission of hazardous gases from vehicles, industrial developments and increase in farming activities. The greenhouse gases are responsible for trapping heat on surface of the earth there by leading to the heat build up process. Temperature of the whole planet including the oceans has gone up. There are a number of species which require a particular climate and temperature to support their life. These marine species are forced to migrate into normal locations. There are however several barriers which prevent a lot of species from relocating themselves into any area. Thus, they either have to risk extinction or adapt themselves to warmer climatic conditions. The entire ecological system gets hampered when particular specie becomes endangered. There are a number of marine animals who have prodded towards the northern waters for a suitable habitat. Very soon these animals will hardly have any new places to turn.
Global warming and climate change has resulted in melting of glaciers over the last 20 years. Subsequently this leads to increase in the levels of sea. The coastal ecosystem has suffered a lot of damages due to such changes. Plenty of species which depend on the habitat for their survival has also undergone a lot of hazards. The situations are likely to improve with proposals for building sea walls which will protect marine animal species and human communities living in the coastal areas.
The primary productive areas of the oceans are also highly affected by global warming and climate change. It is in the productive areas that animals and plants live and the mammals come in search of their prey. The health and population of the marine mammals to a great extent depends on the prey, changes in feeding locations has adverse effect on the activities of marine animals. These species adjust their migration routes and changes their feeding locations. As the warmth from ocean continues to rise, it further contributes to emission of CO2 in the atmosphere. Global warming and climate change which increases the level of acidity in water is said to adversely affect marine life on earth.
It is high time that both adults as well as children educate themselves about the harmful effects of global warming and climate changes and take necessary steps to reverse the harmful effects. With proper education and informed knowledge necessary steps can be to make the earth more habitable. Online researches offer plenty of updated information which can be referred to for understanding the present situation.
