[20080515]RS22597_全球气候变化与野生动物.pdf

Order Code RS22597Updated May 15, 2008Global Climate Change and WildlifePervaze A. SheikhAnalyst in Natural Resources and Environmental PolicyResources, Science, and Industry DivisionM. Lynne Corn, Jane A. Leggett, and Peter FolgerSpecialists in Natural Resources and Environmental PolicyResources, Science, and Industry DivisionSummaryRecently projected climate changes could have widespread effects on wildlifespecies. These effects might be positive or negative, depending on the species. Someeffects might include extinction, range shifts, mismatches in phenology (timing ofpollination, flowering, etc.), and population changes. Effects of climate change onwildlife have been reported for some species and populations in localized areas. Manyscientists contend that climate change acts in concert with other variables (such ashabitat) to affect species. If the effects of climate change are widespread, there isuncertainty on how wildlife will adapt. Some suggest that evolution and migration willenable species to adapt, whereas others contend that adaptation will be minimal becauseof limited habitat, and changes in climate that may occur more rapidly than adaptationcan respond.IntroductionCl