5.20—Climate change effects on plants and animals

Warming changes rainfall, extreme-weather patterns, ocean conditions and seasonal timing. Species may shift poleward or upslope, flower or breed earlier, lose water access, or face extinction when movement or adaptation is too slow.

A climate effect propagates through linked systems: altered temperature or rainfall changes habitat suitability, food timing and competition. Sea level rises through thermal expansion and ice loss, adding a physical pressure to coastal systems.

If plants flower earlier but a migratory bird arrives on its old schedule, the bird may miss peak food availability. A seasonal mismatch is a mechanism, not just a correlation.

Impacts vary by species and location. “Climate change causes extinction” is too broad without specifying the changed condition, exposure and biological response.