Summary

Global warming has increased dramatically during the last century at an unnatural rate, which makes specialists believe that humans contribute to the real cause of global warming today. Many activities humans are involved in—from burning fossil fuels for energy to massive deforestation—are contributing to the atmospheric warming at an alarming rate. Experts believe that in the future human induced damage will cause severe problems in the distribution of species and their critical habitats, increase the occurrence of severe weather and droughts, contribute to rising sea levels, and trigger a host of health and quality-of-life impacts that will affect everyone on Earth. Unfortunately, no ecosystem will escape the impact of human-induced global warming.

Changing Ecosystems looks at this serious issue and the far-reaching effects it is having right now, and will have in the future, on every ecosystem on Earth. It is crucial that readers understand the relevant issues now so they can prevent this problem before it is too late and many species and habitats are gone forever. By discussing the effects of global warming on ecosystems, this new volume enlightens students on the many ways they can become more eco-responsible now and in the future.

Chapters include:

• Signs and Effects of Global Warming
• Ecosystems, Adaptation, and Extinction
• Impacts to Forests
• Impacts to Rangelands, Grasslands, and Prairies
• Impacts on Polar Ecosystems
• Impacts to Desert Ecosystems
• Impacts to Mountain Ecosystems
• Impacts to Marine Ecosystems
• Conclusions—Where to Go from Here.

Specifications

Full-color photographs and line illustrations. Index. Glossary. Chronology. Sidebars. Print and Web resources. Tables and charts. 

About the Author(s)

Julie Kerr Casper, Ph.D., has been an Earth scientist for the United States Bureau of Land Management for more than 30 years. She has a Ph.D. in Earth science from the University of Utah, specializing in satellite remote sensing, interpretation, and mapping of the Earth's natural environment. She is active in various environmental conservation organizations that focus on the healthy stewardship of the Earth's natural resources and has spent considerable time teaching elementary through high school students how to enjoy and take care of the environment.