Global Change encompasses all aspects of the environment, not just limiting it to climate (though that plays an extremely important part!). The earth is currently warming, hence the melting ice caps as well as increased severe weather conditions like hurricanes and winter storms. These then affect the planet on a large scale such as farm and land changes, negative habitat and environmental impacts for animals such as the polar bear, and that ever growing hole in the ozone layer. Here in the Pacific Northwest, the sea level has already started to rise. Floods, erosion, and many other threats to the coast and inland are an increasing problem. Trees and other vegetation are dying from insect infestations and disease that are thought to be an outcome of global change (Global Change 2016).
The grasslands systems are already seeing the effects of global warming/global change. In cases of drought, fires have increased within grasslands. Severe fires have damaged the land and soil so much that replacement of vegetation has been difficult (Montes-Helu 2014). On the other extreme are floods. Global change isn't just about warming, it is about the entire change the planet is experiencing which I think a lot of people overlook. Extreme flooding in the sensitive grasslands have caused a loss in riparian zones and habitats for local wildlife. Flooding can also affect natural fire regimes that many grasslands depend on. Flooding of grasslands can also affect the quality of water in regards to eutrophication (Nitrogen and/or phosphorus compounds found to enrich and ecosystem) (World Wildlife Fund 2016).
Grassland Photo Source: http://www.globalchange.gov/browse/educators/wildlife-wildlands-toolkit/eco-regions/grassland
Sources:
- Global Change. 2016. . Available from: http://www.globalchange.gov/climate-change.
- Montes-Helu, M. 2014. Coconino National Forest, Northern Arizona. Available from: http://www.globalchange.gov/browse/multimedia/coconino-national-forest-northern-arizona
- World Wildlife Fund. 2016. Flooded Grasslands and Savannas. Available from: http://www.worldwildlife.org/biomes/flooded-grasslands-and-savannas
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