Question

Which of the following investigations would shed the most light on the future distribution of organisms in temperate regions that are faced with climate change?
a. Remove, to the mineral soil, all of the organisms from an experimental plot, and monitor the colonization of the area over time in terms of both species diversity and abundance.
b. Quantify the impact of man's activities on present-day populations of threatened and endangered species to assess the rate of extirpation and extinction.
c. Look at the climatic changes that occurred since the last ice age and how species redistributed as glaciers melted, then make predictions on future distribution in species based on past trends.
d. Compare and contrast the flora and fauna of warm/cold/dry/wet climates to shed light on how they evolved to be suited to their present-day environment.

Answer 1

The correct answer is option C

Look at the climatic changes that occurred since the last Ice Age and how species redistributed as glaciers melted, then make predictions on future distribution in species based on past trends.

The climatic change impact the diversity of the ecosystem. There has been a shift pole ward and diversity expansion due to the climatic changes. Also the individual species have. During the ice age the plantation and water availability became scarce initially and then extincted. This caused several species extinct as the net productivity of primary resources reduced. Also the extreme weather conditions led to the rise of animals subjected to survival in these conditions which added to the diversity of animals and plant species.

Later the climate changed again and the earth became warmer that compared to the ice age. Again with the change in weather conditions, the species diversified. These stages of changes are called  ecosystem tipping points