The impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise, increased air and ocean temperatures, and increased frequency of extreme climatic events can directly and indirectly impact on biodiversity. An essential first step in developing climate change response activities is, therefore, to identify the specific threats to a species or ecosystem. For example, coral reefs are threatened by the bleaching that occurs with changes in ocean temperature and chemistry and forests and agricultural systems are vulnerable to increased incidents of disease and pest outbreaks as a result of changing climatic conditions. Once impacts and threats have been identified, monitoring the threats is essential in determining how the ongoing process of climate change is affecting ecosystems.

The table below describes some of the hazards of climate change and their resulting impacts on biodiversity. The information in the table can also be organized by biome.

Threat Studies

The database below provides access to scientific studies and other resources on climate change threats to biodiversity. These resources can be used to help determine the risks to biodiversity in specific biomes and regions of the world.

Assessment Tools

Below are the tools to assess the impacts and include experimentation, impact projections, empirical analogue studies, and expert judgment. Case studies of governments and organizations using these tools are also presented.