There are many reasons why climate change is a significant driver of biodiversity loss. These include:

1. Habitat Loss and Alteration

• Many species have specific habitat requirements, and climate change can transform or destroy these habitats. For example, rising temperatures are causing the polar ice caps to melt, threatening polar bears and penguins that depend on ice.

• Coral reefs, often called the "rainforests of the sea," are highly sensitive to temperature changes. Warming oceans cause coral bleaching, which leads to the decline of reef ecosystems that support thousands of marine species.

2. Shifts in Ecosystem Conditions

• Climate change alters temperature, precipitation patterns, and seasonal cycles, disrupting the balance of ecosystems. Some species can adapt by moving to new areas, but others are unable to migrate or adapt quickly enough.

• Plants and animals in mountainous regions may be forced to migrate uphill to escape rising temperatures. Once they reach the top, there’s no further refuge, putting them at risk of extinction.

3. Mismatch in Ecological Relationships

• Many species are interdependent, relying on synchronized behaviours for survival (e.g., pollinators and flowering plants). Climate change can disrupt these timing cues; eearlier springs might cause flowers to bloom before pollinators emerge, leading to reduced reproductive success for both plants and insects.

4. Increased Frequency of Extreme Weather Events

• Climate change intensifies droughts, floods, storms, and wildfires. Such events can destroy habitats, directly kill animals and plants, and make recovery difficult.

• Forest fires exacerbated by climate change can wipe out vast areas of habitat and lead to the loss of species that were already vulnerable.

5. Ocean Acidification

• As CO₂ levels rise, the oceans absorb more carbon dioxide, leading to ocean acidification. This reduces the availability of calcium carbonate, which is essential for species like corals, shellfish, and some plankton to build their skeletons and shells. A decline in these species affects the entire marine food web.

6. Spread of Invasive Species and Diseases

• Changing climates can allow invasive species or pathogens to thrive in new areas, out-competing native species or introducing diseases. Warming temperatures have expanded the range of pests like bark beetles, which have devastated forests in North America.

7. Loss of Genetic Diversity

• As species are lost genetic diversity within ecosystems declines. This makes ecosystems less resilient to further environmental changes, creating a vicious cycle where biodiversity loss accelerates.

The Broader Impact on Ecosystem Services

Biodiversity underpins ecosystems that humans rely on, such as clean water, pollination, and climate regulation. When biodiversity is damaged, these systems become less stable and productive, affecting human well-being.

Addressing climate change is critical to protecting biodiversity and maintaining ecological resilience.