How does global warming alter wildlife? essay sample

While humans may not notice a gradually rising temperature, animal species are much more sensitive to the transition. Many of them may lose their natural habitat due to the critical change in temperature patterns. Arctic species and polar bears are the first in the group of risk because glaciers melt faster than scientists expected. Besides the sea ice, Arctic species depend on fish and other marine food that becomes extinct as the ocean is warming. Not only single species but also entire ecosystems stay in danger while living in extraordinary temperature conditions.

Besides huge mammals and small fish, numerous amphibians and reptiles also feel that they do not fit in the current temperature regime. Amphibians are globally recognized as species endangered to extinction because of habitat loss, disease, and pollution. Droughts are quite typical for the former wetlands so that frogs are deprived of normal conditions to live and breed. Poor tolerance of higher temperatures and the demand of moisture also make some species more vulnerable than others.

As the global warming proceeds, populations of lizards have shrunken critically. Lizards require some period of time in spring when the temperature and moisture are suitable for mating. Unable to adopt to the new weather conditions, these reptiles, unfortunately, fail to reproduce. Turtles may also face the reproduction problem as, according to their specifics, cooler water urges to reproduce only male species and warmer water is suitable only for female nests. Crocodiles better tolerate the increasing temperature, but these large reptiles are endangered to storms and intrusion of salty water into their habitat.

Human activities also alter the conditions vital for a successful existence and reproduction of species. But humans can also take steps to preserve the existing wetlands and protect water-dependent species from extinction.