Project
Biology
Topic: Climate change and ecosystem disruption
Worked by: Dalin Goga, Emi Salia, Betül
Bilgin, Diamanta Çibukaj
What is Global Warming?
Introduction (what is global warming?)
Global warming refers to the gradual increase in Earth's average surface temperature
that has been occurring over the past century and continues today. This warming is
primarily caused by human activities that release certain gases into the atmosphere,
which act like a blanket around our planet, trapping heat from the sun. While Earth's
climate has changed naturally throughout history, the current rate of warming is about
ten times faster than any natural climate change seen in the past 65 million years.
The term "global warming" is often used together with "climate change," but they have
slightly different meanings. Global warming specifically refers to the rising temperatures,
while climate change includes all the side effects of this warming, such as changes in
rainfall patterns, stronger storms, and rising sea levels.
How Global Warming Works: The Greenhouse Effect
To understand global warming, we first need to understand the natural "greenhouse
effect." This is a process that has always existed and is actually essential for life on
Earth. Here's how it works:
1. Sunlight Reaches Earth: The sun sends energy to Earth in the form of sunlight.
2. Earth Absorbs Heat: About 70% of this sunlight is absorbed by the land,
oceans, and atmosphere, warming our planet.
3. Heat Radiates Back: The warmed Earth then radiates heat energy back toward
space.
4. Gases Trap Some Heat: Certain gases in the atmosphere (called greenhouse
gases) trap some of this heat, keeping our planet at a comfortable average
temperature of about 15°C (59°F).
Without this natural greenhouse effect, Earth's average temperature would be about -
18°C - far too cold for most life to exist. The problem isn't the greenhouse effect itself,
but how human activities are making it stronger by adding extra greenhouse gases to
the atmosphere.
Causes of Global Warming
1. Burning Fossil Fuels (The Biggest Cause)
When we burn coal, oil, and natural gas for energy, we release carbon that had been
stored underground for millions of years. This happens when we:
Drive cars and trucks (transportation = 29% of emissions)
Generate electricity (power plants = 25% of emissions)
Heat and cool buildings (13% of emissions)
Make products in factories (industry = 21% of emissions)
2. Deforestation (Cutting Down Forests)
Trees are nature's air cleaners - they absorb CO₂ as they grow. When we cut them
down:
The stored carbon is released (like opening a CO₂ soda bottle)
We lose future CO₂ absorption
3. Modern Agriculture
Our food production creates greenhouse gases through:
Cow and sheep digestion (they burp methane)
Rice farming (flooded fields create methane)
Chemical fertilizers (they turn into nitrous oxide)
4. Waste and Landfills
Our trash produces methane as it breaks down:
Food waste in landfills creates lots of methane
Wastewater treatment releases greenhouse gases
The effect of global warming on food chains
and populations
Food chains are a very important part of ecosystems. They start with producers, which
turn the energy from the sun to chemical energy through photosynthesis. These are the most
important beings in a chain, given that without them, energy cannot be “trapped” and
therefore cannot be transferred from trophic level to trophic level. As a result, changes
affecting producers will affect the whole ecosystem, making them the foundation of all
ecosystems.
Studies have shown that about only 10% of the energy is transferred from organisms of
one trophic level to organisms of another trophic level. This causes a significant decrease in
energy from the producers to the apex predators, meaning their numbers are usually way
fewer, so producers can reproduce at a faster rate that they are being eaten.
Global warming, however, has caused a change in this number. A study done by the
University of Exeter and Queen Mary University of London, and published in the journal Nature
-- found that 4°C of warming reduced energy transfer in the plankton food webs by up to 56%.
The study measured nitrogen transfer efficiency (a proxy for overall energy transfer) in
freshwater plankton, which are very important producers, that had been exposed to a seven-
year-long outdoor warming experiment in the UK.
This has happened because the temperature increase has caused an increase in the cost
of metabolic growth. This increase in temperature makes the metabolic rates accelerate faster
than growth rates, which reduces the energy passed onto the next trophic level. This means a
lot of species higher up on the food chain could become extinct, and a large amount of biomass
will be lost.
Changes in temperature, do not only affect the chains, but certain populations as well,
namely cold-blooded organisms. A study done by researchers at Rice University tested Daphnia
pulex, a small zooplankton species found in freshwater to see the effect of rising temperatures
on these species.
Initially, the rising heat (12-19C) caused an increase in the population because of the
increased metabolism rates and the reproduction process. However, in higher temperatures, it
was found that a severe rise in competition between organisms developed, counteracting the
initial boost given at warmer temperatures. In fact, for every 7C that the temperature rose,
competition effects doubled.
The negative effects of this phenomenon would be extinction of local species. Most
affected would be cold-blooded species that live in environments with high amplitudes in
temperature, because they would no longer have a stable population.
The organisms themselves are also dramatically affected by climate change. The way
they function, their cycles, their adaptations to their environments are fine-tuned to work only
in specific conditions, which major changes in the ecosystem might affect.
Some examples of this are: the distribution of pollinators, marine species moving
towards the artic to find a more suitable climate, changing water conditions affecting plants
and animals, land animals have moved to more northern places or higher altitudes, etc.
Changes in cycles are also consequences of this environmental crisis. Birds migrate too
late, hence, when they arrive in their destinations, their primary food source might not be
available because it has already grown. One other such example is found in invasive species,
that are encouraged to move more, spreading infections and decreasing populations as they go.
An example of this is the lionfish, which has begun to spread widely in the Atlantic Ocean.
Climate change can also affect
indirectly the food wed of many
ecosystems. One such case is in the arctic,
where the melting of ice is causing a
decrease in the number of polar bears in
the region. This means that the population
of one of the predators in the food web
will decrease, leading to overpopulation
and as a result, competition in the
populations of the species consumed by
polar bears. Additionally, the underside of
see ice serves as a nutrient-rich region
where algae grow. These are the primary
source of energy for zooplanktons, which
then are eaten by arctic cod, the primary
food source for polar bears. All in all, with all these consequences of rising temperatures, polar
bears have reached the status of a “vulnerable” species, and if this continues, many more are
sure to follow.
Shifts in ecosystems driven by climate change can also make it easier for new diseases
and parasites to move into areas where they never were before, with serious consequences for
people’s health, our farms, and wild fisheries. For instance, the oyster parasite Perkinsus
marinus which can wipe out huge numbers of oysters has been creeping northward along the
coast. What used to be its home in Chesapeake Bay now stretches all the way up to Maine, a
310-mile jump that’s linked to unusually warm winters.
The effect of global warming on the
ecosystem
Habitats are natural environments where living organisms such as plants, animals and other
living organisms live and grow. Habitat provides food, water and space for the organisms to
develop. Some examples of habitats include forests, oceans, deserts, ect. Global warming is
a time-ticking bomb nowadays because nature can’t keep up with all these changes because
they affect the balance of ecosystems, making it hard for animals and plants to survive in
their usual environments.
What exactly happens to ecosystems as the planet becomes hotter?
As temperatures increase, many species are forced to move to cooler areas which might be
mountains or places closer to the poles. This occurrence is called migration. There are
species that are destined to migrate, such as different types of birds and even butterflies.
However, since temperatures are increasing, these species are experiencing disregulations in
the pattern of their migration. Warmer climates are causing them to migrate either earlier or
later than usual, which disrupts their breeding seasons and breaks their natural life cycles. On
the other hand, there are also species that do not normally migrate. When these types of
species begin to experience changes in their environment that affect their life cycles, they are
forced to migrate in search of better conditions. This movement can cause disruptions in
ecosystems, as these species may struggle to adapt to new habitats. Some of them cannot
move fast enough and risk extinction.
Arctic and marine ecosystem
In the Arctic, the melting of ice is severely damaging the habitat of species like polar bears
and seals. The ice helps these animals hunt, rest, and live. As the ice melts, the ocean's
temperature rises, making it difficult for animals to adapt to the warming waters. This change
disrupts their survival, forcing many to move to less suitable areas. Warmer oceans also lead
to coral bleaching. Coral reefs, which are important for thousands of marine species, begin to
die off when they are stressed by temperature increases. Without coral reefs, fish and other
marine creatures lose their homes and food sources, leading to a collapse of marine
ecosystems.
Desert and freshwater ecosystems
Deserts are becoming hotter and drier due to climate change, making it difficult for life to
survive. Plants and animals that are already adapted to harsh conditions face even greater
challenges. Desert animals, such as lizards and foxes, are forced to migrate due to extreme
heat and water shortages. Rivers, lakes, and swamps are drying up as a result of heat and
changing rainfall patterns. Species like frogs and fish, which depend on cool, clean water, are
particularly at risk. Warming waters reduce oxygen levels, making these environments
unsuitable for many aquatic species, leading to population reduction.
Forest Fires
Higher temperatures and drought conditions have increased in the frequency of
wildfires, particularly in forests. These fires damage entire habitats, killing both
plants and animals, and the recovery of these ecosystems can take years or even
decades. Wildfires also harm forests' ability to store carbon. Forests help absorb
carbon dioxide from the air, but when they burn, they can no longer do this. This
causes even more global warming, creating a dangerous cycle where rising
temperatures lead to more fires. In forests, higher temperatures and less rainfall
make the environment drier, increasing the chances of wildfires.
Oceans
The oceans are warming due to increased heat from the atmosphere. Warmer oceans
lead to rising sea levels because the water expands as it warms, and melting ice adds
more water into the oceans. This results in the loss of habitats like forests, salt marshes,
and beaches that are home to many species. Fish species are also migrating toward
cooler waters, causing disruption to fisheries and food sources for coastal communities.
How temperature changes affect food chains?
Temperature changes in habitats don’t only affect individual species but also the entire
food chain. If one of the species is affected, all the food chain is ruined. For example, if
the plants that herbivores eat become harder to find due to changes in temperature, the
herbivores struggle to find food. This affects the predators that rely on herbivores for
food. Fish populations are also affected by warmer oceans. Warmer water can reduce
the oxygen levels in the ocean, making it harder for fish to survive. Some fish species
migrate to cooler waters, interrupting the food sources of other species that rely on
them.
HOW TO COMBAT
THE EFFECT OF GLOBAL WARMING ON
ECOSYSTEM
Global warming is one of the biggest challenges our planet is facing today. As temperatures rise
due to increased greenhouse gas emissions, ecosystems around the world are being damaged or
destroyed. From melting glaciers to dying coral reefs, the natural balance of life is at risk.
We all need to work together to solve this problem. Here are some things that we can do.
1. Plant a Tree
During photosynthesis, trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. But
there are too few of them to fully counter the increases in carbon dioxide caused by automobile
traffic, manufacturing, and other human activities.
They also help to mitigate climate change: a single tree will absorb approximately one ton of
carbon dioxide during its lifetime.
Researchers have also shown that forests influence their local climates through various physical
and chemical processes. Trees release water vapor through pores in their leaves — a process
called evapotranspiration — and, like human sweating, this cools the trees and their
surroundings.
2. Switch to renewable energy (Solar, wind, hydro and geothermal)
Producing energy from renewable sources, plays a crucial role in climate change. Renewable
energy sources like solar and wind power don't produce carbon emissions as part of the
electricity generation process. In some places, new renewable energy is already cheaper than
inefficient and dirty fossil fuel-fired.
They also provide sustainable energy because fossil fuels are limited and will eventually run out.
Renewables are naturally replenished, meaning they can provide continuous energy without
harming the environment.
3. Phase out fossil fuels
a. DRIVE SMARTLY
Cars and trucks that burn gasoline or diesel release carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere.
Transportation is responsible for about one-quarter of global CO₂ emissions (according to the
International Energy Agency, IEA).
What you can do:
Walk or bike for short distances instead of driving.
Use public transport like buses, trains, or trams, which are much more energy-efficient
than private cars.
Drive electric vehicles
b. Reuse and recycle products
Manufacturing new products from raw materials uses a lot of energy, mostly from burning fossil
fuels like oil, coal, and gas. When we reuse items (like bags, bottles, clothes) or recycle materials
(like plastic, paper, and metals), we cut down the demand for new products. Less production =
Less fossil fuel use = Less carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere.
c. Encourage Others to Conserve
Share information about recycling and energy conservation with your friends, neighbors, and co-
workers, and take opportunities to encourage public officials to establish programs and policies
that are good for the environment.
d. Use the "Off" Switch
Save electricity and reduce global warming by turning off lights when you leave a room, and
using only as much light as you need. And remember to turn off your television, video player,
stereo, and computer when you're not using them.
e. Use biofuels
The use of biofuels can significantly help in conserving fossil fuels. Biofuels are produced from
organic materials such as plants, agricultural waste, or algae. These materials naturally absorb
carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during their growth. When biofuels are burned for energy,
they release carbon dioxide, but this amount is roughly equal to the carbon they absorbed while
growing
References
https://climate.nasa.gov
https://www.ipcc.ch
https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions
https://www.epa.gov/lmop/basic-information-about-landfill-gas
-https://www.iea.org/reports/global-energy-review-2023
1. Diego R. Barneche, Chris J. Hulatt, Matteo Dossena, Daniel Padfield, Guy Woodward,
Mark Trimmer, Gabriel Yvon-Durocher. Warming impairs trophic transfer efficiency in a
long-term field experiment. Nature, 2021; DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03352-2
2. University of Exeter. "Global warming poses threat to food chains." ScienceDaily.
ScienceDaily, 1 March 2021.
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210301112403.htm
3. Lillie Stockseth, Zoey Neale, Volker H. W. Rudolf. Strengthening of negative
density dependence mediates population decline at high
temperatures. Ecology, 2025 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.70030
4. Rice University. "Study reveals how rising temperatures could lead to population
crashes." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 March 2025.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250304203829.htm>.
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http://epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-impacts-ecosystems#6foot
6. United States Environmental Protection Agency, Climate Impacts on
Ecosystems
https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/climate-impacts/climate-impacts-
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Wildlife/Climate-Change/Habitats
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