Gauging the biological impacts of the greenhouse effect
For years some climatologists have warned that greenhouse gases, by preventing excess solar energy from radiating back into space, could raise average global temperatures 3/degree/ to 5/degree/C within the next century, change rainfall patterns, melt some glaciers and polar ice, raise sea levels, flood low-lying coasts, and otherwise alter climate and environment. Only recently, however, have biologists begun to ask how the greenhouse effect might affect living organisms. How, for example, will individual species respond to changing climate. will they adapt to new conditions or migrate to new environs. Which species might benefit and which might go extinct. Will communities of plants and animals remain intact. What are the implications for wildlife managers and park planners. Such questions were addressed at a recent conference on biological consequences of the greenhouse effect.
- OSTI ID:
- 6249680
- Journal Information:
- BioScience; (United States), Vol. 39:3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
CARBON DIOXIDE
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ARCTIC REGIONS
FISHES
FORESTS
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
PLANT GROWTH
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
GROWTH
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLAR REGIONS
VERTEBRATES
500100* - Environment
Atmospheric- Basic Studies- (-1989)
510100 - Environment
Terrestrial- Basic Studies- (-1989)