How does climate change affect biodiversity?

Climate change significantly impacts biodiversity primarily through the alteration of habitats, which can lead to the extinction of various species. As climate change progresses, it causes shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns, resulting in the degradation or loss of ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, and coral reefs. These changes can disrupt food availability, breeding grounds, and migratory patterns, making it increasingly difficult for many species to survive.

Furthermore, species that are unable to adapt quickly or migrate to more suitable environments are at a higher risk of extinction. For instance, some animals and plants may have specific climate tolerances or habitat requirements that cannot be met as their environments change. This reduction in species numbers and genetic diversity can destabilize ecosystems, impacting many other organisms and leading to a downward spiral of biodiversity loss.

While it is true that climate change can create new conditions that some species might exploit, such as extending the range of certain plants or animals, the overall consequence of climate change on ecosystems has been an increase in variability and instability, which generally favors species loss rather than biodiversity gain. Thus, the assertion that climate change reduces biodiversity is well-supported by scientific research and ecological evidence.