Climate Change and Biodiversity

Abstract

Climate change is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of the 21st century, with profound implications for biodiversity across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. Rising global temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, melting ice caps, and increasing frequency of extreme weather events are reshaping habitats and driving shifts in species distribution. Many species face heightened risks of extinction due to the combined effects of climate-induced habitat loss, altered food webs, and increased vulnerability to diseases and invasive species. Biodiversity, in turn, plays a critical role in maintaining ecosystem services such as pollination, water purification, and carbon sequestration, which are essential for human survival and planetary health. This paper examines the mechanisms through which climate change impacts biodiversity, drawing on case studies from coral reef bleaching to shifts in migratory bird patterns. It also explores conservation strategies, mitigation policies, and adaptive measures that can help safeguard ecosystems in a warming world. The analysis underscores the urgency of integrated global action to address both the causes and consequences of climate change, emphasizing the need for coordinated policy frameworks, community engagement, and sustainable resource management to preserve biodiversity for future generations.

Keywords- Climate Change, Global Warming, Biodiversity Loss, Ecosystem Services, Habitat Degradation, Species Extinction, Conservation Strategies, Adaptive Management, Carbon Emissions, Sustainable Development