How do natural communities respond to increased frequencies of extreme weather events predicted under global climate change and different reasons of extinction of species?
Respected Sir
Rk Naresh
Natural communities respond to the increased frequencies of extreme weather events predicted under global climate change through a variety of mechanisms, which can include shifts in species distributions, alterations in community structure, and changes in ecosystem functions. For instance, extreme weather events such as hurricanes, droughts, heatwaves, and floods can cause immediate destruction of habitats, leading to mortality of individuals and sometimes entire populations. These events can also trigger long-term ecological changes, such as shifts in species composition, where more resilient or opportunistic species replace those that are more sensitive. Additionally, the disruption of phenological events, such as breeding and migration, can lead to mismatches in the timing of food availability, affecting reproductive success and survival rates. The compounded stress from these frequent disturbances can reduce the resilience of ecosystems, making it harder for them to recover from subsequent events.
Different reasons for the extinction of species include habitat loss, climate change, invasive species, overexploitation, and pollution. Habitat loss, often due to human activities such as deforestation and urbanization, reduces the available living space for species, leading to population declines and eventual extinction. Climate change alters temperature and precipitation patterns, making environments unsuitable for some species. Invasive species can outcompete, prey on, or bring diseases to native species, leading to declines and extinctions. Overexploitation, such as overfishing and hunting, directly reduces population numbers. Pollution, including chemicals, plastics, and other contaminants, can poison species and degrade habitats. These factors often interact synergistically, compounding their effects and accelerating the rate of extinctions.
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