Journal article
Impacts of recent climate change on terrestrial flora and fauna: Some emerging Australian examples
Austral ecology, Vol.44(1), pp.3-27
02/2019
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Abstract
The effects of anthropogenic climate change on biodiversity are well known for some high-profile Australian marine systems, including coral bleaching and kelp forest devastation. Less well-published are the impacts of climate change being observed in terrestrial ecosystems, although ecological models have predicted substantial changes are likely. Detecting and attributing terrestrial changes to anthropogenic factors is difficult due to the ecological importance of extreme conditions, the noisy nature of short-term data collected with limited resources, and complexities introduced by biotic interactions. Here, we provide a suite of case studies that have considered possible impacts of anthropogenic climate change on Australian terrestrial systems. Our intention is to provide a diverse collection of stories illustrating how Australian flora and fauna are likely responding to direct and indirect effects of anthropogenic climate change. We aim to raise awareness rather than be comprehensive. We include case studies covering canopy dieback in forests, compositional shifts in vegetation, positive feedbacks between climate, vegetation and disturbance regimes, local extinctions in plants, size changes in birds, phenological shifts in reproduction and shifting biotic interactions that threaten communities and endangered species. Some of these changes are direct and clear cut, others are indirect and less clearly connected to climate change; however, all are important in providing insights into the future state of terrestrial ecosystems. We also highlight some of the management issues relevant to conserving terrestrial communities and ecosystems in the face of anthropogenic climate change.
Details
- Title
- Impacts of recent climate change on terrestrial flora and fauna: Some emerging Australian examples
- Creators
- Ary A. Hoffmann - University of MelbournePaul D. Rymer - Western Sydney UniversityMargaret Byrne - Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and AttractionsKatinka X. Ruthrof - Murdoch UniversityJennie Whinam - University of TasmaniaMelodie McGeoch - Monash UniversityDana M. Bergstrom - Australian Antarctic DivisionGreg R. Guerin - University of AdelaideBen Sparrow - University of AdelaideLeo Joseph - Australian National Wildlife CollectionSarah J. Hill - Univ New England, Insect Ecol Lab, Ctr Excellence Behav & Physiol Ecol, Armidale, NSW, AustraliaNigel R. Andrew - University of New EnglandJames Camac - University of MelbourneNicholas Bell - University of MelbourneMarkus Riegler - Western Sydney UniversityJanet L. Gardner - Australian National UniversityStephen E. Williams - James Cook Univ, Coll Sci & Engn, Ctr Trop Environm & Sustainabil Sci, Townsville, Qld, Australia
- Publication Details
- Austral ecology, Vol.44(1), pp.3-27
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 25
- Grant note
- Earthwatch Institute National Environmental Research Program LP0455349; LP150100936 / ARC; Australian Research Council National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility NSW Environmental Trust Australian Research Council Long Term Ecological Research Network Government of Western Australia Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network Centre for Climate Change, Woodland and Forest Health AAS 3095; 4192; 4312 / Australian Antarctic Science Programme
- Identifiers
- 991013087509502368
- Copyright
- © 2018 Ecological Society of Australia.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article