Vital GEO Graphics

Climate Change Interlinkages The links between climate change and biodiversity – both aquatic and terrestrial – are illustrative of the links between land, water and atmosphere. Biodiversity is, in many instances, under multiple pressures. These can include land degradation, land and water pollution, and invasive alien species. Changes in climate exert additional pressures, which have affected biodiversity. These include disruption in timing of the reproduction process of animals and plants, migration patterns of

animals, the length of the growing season, species distribution and abundance of pole-ward and upward shifts in the ranges of plant and animal species, and the frequency of pest and disease outbreaks. Changes in regional temperatures have contributed to changes in stream-flow, and the frequency and intensity of extreme climatic events, such as floods, droughts and heat waves. These changes have af- fected biodiversity and ecosystem services.

D ownload G raphic 2

16 V I TAL GEO GRAPH I CS