Nowhere to Run: Impact of Climate Change on Wildlife

Name: _________________________________       Date: _____________

Hardly a week goes by without news of the effects of climate change on the planet, including melting glaciers, record-smashing heat waves and drought, and wild weather events. Wildlife is feeling the heat, too. More and more species are under greater stress as the climate shifts in their habitat. Many are migrating higher up the mountains or to cooler latitudes as they struggle to cope with climate change. In this activity, you'll see examples of how animals have been affected by climate change.

To begin, look at this map of climate change Early Warning Signs. Then click the link in the left margin About the Map.

1. What's the difference between fingerprints and harbingers?
   
   
   
   
2. Click the link for harbingers. List the six harbingers of global warming.
   
   
   
   
3. You'll focus on two of the harbingers: range shifts/population changes and coral bleaching. Read the paragraphs next to the symbols (deer and coral) for these two harbingers. Explain how each of these harbingers relates to global warming.
   
   
   
   
4. Next you'll find out how specific species have been affected. As you explore the region links in the left margin, click on each deer and coral symbol you see. Read each description and record the details each species in the table.
   
   

   Hotspot number	Region	Harbinger type	Species	Details