Global warming and biological diversity

Abstract

This book discusses in detail the consequences of global warming for ecosystems and includes commentary by distinguished scientists on many aspects of this critical problem. Considering a variety of specific ecosystems (tropical forests, the deciduous forests of eastern North America, the forests of the Pacific Northwest, Mediterranean-type ecosystems in California, arctic tundra and arctic marine systems), experts describe responses of animals and plants to previous climate changes, interactions between various environmental components, and synergies between climate change and human activites such as deforestation. The theme of the book is that global warming could cause profound disruption of natural ecosystems and could threaten many species with extinction. Warming, coupled with the effects of habitat destruction, could cause massive waves of extinctions such as have not been seen for millions of years. The goal of the book is therefore to ensure that furtuer scientific and policy discussions of global warming pay adequate attention to natural ecosystems.