Impacts of Environmental Change

Environmental Change Sources

Environmental change can occur naturally, for instance through volcanic eruptions and solar radiation changes.
It can also be induced by human activities such as deforestation, pollution, urbanisation, and climate change due to greenhouse gas emissions.

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life found in a place on Earth or over the entire Earth.
Environmental changes can lead to decreased biodiversity if specie intolerant to the changes cannot adapt quickly enough.
This can cause certain species to experience a decline in population or become extinct.

Environmental changes can cause a shift in species distribution meaning where species live can change. They may move to more suitable habitats or even become extinct in certain areas.
Changes can also result in the alteration of the timing of annual events in nature. For instance, warmer temperatures could lead to earlier budding of trees or nesting of birds.
Changes to the environment can also cause changes in community structure, as different species react differently to the change, potentially altering the balance of relationships between species in a particular habitat.

Species with a wide range of tolerance may thrive, as they can survive under a range of environmental conditions. These are known as generalists.
Specialists, or species with a narrow range of tolerance that can only survive under very specific conditions, are more likely to struggle and possibly face extinction.
As a result of these pressures, natural selection may favour traits that enhance survival in changing conditions, resulting in adaptation.

Conservation efforts can help to manage harmful effects of environmental change by protecting habitats and species.
Sustainable practices like careful resource management, recycling and reducing pollutives can lessen human-induced environmental changes.
Reforestation and habitat restoration programmes, coupled with legislation and international agreements, can also play a part in mitigating impacts.

The changes can have significant impacts on ecosystem services, the benefits that humans obtain from ecosystems.
For instance, it can affect provisioning services such as food and water, regulating services like flood and disease control, as well as cultural services, that include recreational benefits.
Understanding these impacts can help in making informed decisions to maintain ecosystem health and the services they provide, ultimately benefiting human health and wellbeing.