BIO 102- Climate Change

Course Appreciation and Final Evaluations

• Instructor's Note: Thank you for your hard work in this course! Your dedication and persistence are commendable!

• IDEA Evaluation:

  • Deadline: Closes in 5 days

  • Accessing IDEA Evaluation:

  • Log into Brightspace > More > URI Resources > URI IDEA Student Feedback

  • Alternatively, scan the provided QR code.

Course Goals for BIO102

• General Goals:

  • Gaining a basic understanding of the subject

  • Learning to apply course material to improve thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making

  • Acquiring skills in working with others as a member of a team

Final Project and Exam Schedule

• Final Group Project: Infographic

  • Due Date: 12/08 @ 11:59 PM

  • Peer Evaluation Reminder: Don’t forget to complete it!

• Final Study Path:

  • Due Date: Tuesday, December 16, 11:59 PM

• Final Exam: Cumulative

  • Date: Wednesday, December 17, 11:30 AM

• Extra Optional Homework:

  • Due 12/16, this drops the lowest homework grade

• Missing Readiness Reading:

  • If you wish to complete any missing readiness reading, homework, or practice exams for half credit, submit them by Thursday, December 11, 11:59 PM. After that, no more work will be accepted.

Climate Change Overview

Human Impact on Climate Change

1. Human Activities: Explain how these activities disrupt the global carbon cycle.

2. Climate Warming Impacts:

   • Discuss changes in the timing of seasonal events (phenology).

   • Explore how changes in phenology of one species affect the ecology of others.

3. Consequences of Climate Change: Recall four general consequences for organisms, including:

   • Identify processes that result in positive and negative feedbacks on climate change.

4. Biodiversity: Evaluate how humans might help sustain biological diversity amidst climate change.

5. Ecosystem Analysis: Analyze the effects of climate change on organisms in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

Climate vs. Weather

• Definitions:

  • Global Warming: Specifically refers to the increase in the average temperature of the planet.

  • Global Climate Change: Encompasses global warming and a range of other changes occurring on the planet.

The Greenhouse Effect

• Definition: The Greenhouse Effect refers to the process where certain gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to temperature increases.

• Contribution of Human Activity: Human activities have increased the concentrations of greenhouse gases.

• Key Greenhouse Gases:

  • Water vapor (H₂O)

  • Nitrous oxide (NO₂)

  • Methane (CH₄)

  • Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

Evidence of Climate Change

• Atmospheric CO₂ Levels: Evidence shows that atmospheric CO₂ has increased since the Industrial Revolution, supported by direct measurements and data from ice cores.

• Global Distribution: Variation of carbon dioxide concentration measured in parts per million (ppm) shows an annual increase.

Understanding Climate Change Drivers

• Solar Energy: Fluctuations in solar energy are insufficient to account for the rapid increase in global temperatures.

• Human Impact:

  • The human population explosion and per capita fossil fuel usage have skyrocketed, especially in industrialized countries.

  • Notably, while the U.S. represents less than 5% of the world's population, it produces one-seventh of global CO₂ emissions.

Biological Effects of Climate Change

1. Geographical Range Shifts:

   • Example: Mountain pine beetle infestations have increased due to milder temperatures, affecting ecosystem dynamics.

2. Phenology Shifts:

   • Example: The snowshoe hare's coat color change is mismatched with snowmelt, increasing predation vulnerability.

3. Evolutionary Adaptation:

   • Example: Ladybird beetle populations show a decline in black morphs due to reduced fitness in warmer conditions.

4. Extinctions: Species unable to adapt or reproduce under new conditions face extinction. Notable examples include various amphibians and fish. Rate of extinction is much higher due to climate change. This creates significant challenges for biodiversity, as ecosystems become less resilient and many species struggle to survive.

5. Ocean Acidification:

   • The ocean absorbs approximately one-third of CO₂ emissions each year, affecting marine life.

Ocean Acidification Process

• Chemical Reaction:

  • CO₂ reacts with water to form bicarbonate (H₂CO₃), which dissociates to release protons, lowering the pH.

• pH Calculation:

  • If $[H^{+}]=1\cdot10^{-7},$

    • then
      $pH=-{log}[H^{+}]=7$

  • If $[H^{+}]=1\cdot10^{-6},$

    • then
      $pH=-{log}[H^{+}]=6.$

• Effects: Lower pH levels reduce calcium carbonate ion availability, essential for organisms like corals and mollusks to build skeletons.

• Example: A pteropod’s shell dissolves within 45 days in projected future ocean conditions.

• Consequences of Ocean Acidification: it reduces the availability of calcium carbonate ions that organisms like corals and mollusks need to build skeletons: more acidic means slower growth or even dissolution

• Consequences: affects many processes, e.g. ability of larval fish to “smell” predators to the ability of sperm to swim

Positive and Negative Feedbacks on Climate Change

Negative Feedback

• Definition: In this context, “negative” refers to a decrease in greenhouse gas concentrations.

• Example: Increased uptake of CO₂ via photosynthesis reduces warming.

Positive Feedback

• Definition: In this context, “positive” refers to an acceleration in greenhouse gas emissions.

• Example: Forest fires lead to increased CO₂ emissions, which worsen climate change.

Conclusion

• Action Against Climate Change:

  • Everyone can contribute by making conscious choices: reducing energy consumption, recycling, changing travel habits, etc.

• Gratitude: Thank you for a great semester!