Exploring California's Biodiversity
Why California?
Geographically speaking, California offers a wide array of topography, ecoregions, and climate conditions for research and comparison. In terms of biodiversity, NatureServe ranks California as the most diverse U.S. state based on “diversity of species, levels of rarity and risk, endemism, and number of species already lost to extinction” (1). California is also the most populated state with over 39 million residents as of the 2015 census (2). Anticipated population growth poses an increased risk of ecosystem disruption and subsequent loss of biodiversity. These factors constitute the relevance and necessity for analysis of this area.
How does climate change relate to biodiversity?
Climate change is evident through temperature fluctuations, variations in the prevailing weather patterns, and extreme weather events - all of which influence natural Earth processes and ultimately, biodiversity in our ecosystems. California's geography makes it vulnerable to many of these manifestations of climate change. Drought, wildland fires, and rising temperatures are some of the most notable.
In California, droughts are the result of atmospheric circulation over the Pacific Ocean. Patterns from 1949-2015 indicate the high pressure systems that cause droughts have been increasing in frequency and persistence (3). These systems result in less moisture in the lower atmosphere and reduce periods of precipitation by deflecting approaching storms (4). This sets the stage for ecosystem disruption and biodiversity loss.
Three quarters of California's largest wildfires on record have occurred since 2000 (5). Wildland fires are an essential process in forest ecosystems. They promote biodiversity by transforming habitats and food sources, controlling diseases and parasites, and giving rise to new generations (6). However, the wildfire season is 60-80 days longer than it was 30 years ago due to the changing climate (7). Increasing temperatures leave forests drier and more susceptible to wildfires by accelerating the rate of transpiration and evaporation of surface water.
Higher temperatures, more frequent droughts and longer fire seasons have serious implications for California’s biodiversity. A number of species are sensitive to the rising mercury alone. More expansive fires will also displace wildlife over greater distances and concentrate them in smaller areas. Increasing aridity may lead to a greater risk of fire recurrence, limiting the growth period between burns. California's continuous population growth will also interfere with biodiversity, increasing water scarcity and the pressure to protect life and property through fire suppression.
Curious as to what the climate might be like in 60 years?
Follow this link to an interactive climate map of U.S. cities. Based on current emissions, the 2080 winter climate in Los Angeles will be similar to the present day climate of Las Palmas, Mexico: 8.3°F warmer and 79.6% drier (8).
Geographically speaking, California offers a wide array of topography, ecoregions, and climate conditions for research and comparison. In terms of biodiversity, NatureServe ranks California as the most diverse U.S. state based on “diversity of species, levels of rarity and risk, endemism, and number of species already lost to extinction” (1). California is also the most populated state with over 39 million residents as of the 2015 census (2). Anticipated population growth poses an increased risk of ecosystem disruption and subsequent loss of biodiversity. These factors constitute the relevance and necessity for analysis of this area.
How does climate change relate to biodiversity?
Climate change is evident through temperature fluctuations, variations in the prevailing weather patterns, and extreme weather events - all of which influence natural Earth processes and ultimately, biodiversity in our ecosystems. California's geography makes it vulnerable to many of these manifestations of climate change. Drought, wildland fires, and rising temperatures are some of the most notable.
In California, droughts are the result of atmospheric circulation over the Pacific Ocean. Patterns from 1949-2015 indicate the high pressure systems that cause droughts have been increasing in frequency and persistence (3). These systems result in less moisture in the lower atmosphere and reduce periods of precipitation by deflecting approaching storms (4). This sets the stage for ecosystem disruption and biodiversity loss.
Three quarters of California's largest wildfires on record have occurred since 2000 (5). Wildland fires are an essential process in forest ecosystems. They promote biodiversity by transforming habitats and food sources, controlling diseases and parasites, and giving rise to new generations (6). However, the wildfire season is 60-80 days longer than it was 30 years ago due to the changing climate (7). Increasing temperatures leave forests drier and more susceptible to wildfires by accelerating the rate of transpiration and evaporation of surface water.
Higher temperatures, more frequent droughts and longer fire seasons have serious implications for California’s biodiversity. A number of species are sensitive to the rising mercury alone. More expansive fires will also displace wildlife over greater distances and concentrate them in smaller areas. Increasing aridity may lead to a greater risk of fire recurrence, limiting the growth period between burns. California's continuous population growth will also interfere with biodiversity, increasing water scarcity and the pressure to protect life and property through fire suppression.
Curious as to what the climate might be like in 60 years?
Follow this link to an interactive climate map of U.S. cities. Based on current emissions, the 2080 winter climate in Los Angeles will be similar to the present day climate of Las Palmas, Mexico: 8.3°F warmer and 79.6% drier (8).
Resources
1. Stein, B. A. (2002). States of the Union: Ranking Americas Biodiversity. Retrieved June 8, 2019, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269111849_States_of_the_Union_Ranking_Americas_Biodiversity
2. US Census Bureau. (2018, April 10). North Carolina Becomes Ninth State with 10 Million Population. Retrieved June 8, 2019, from https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2015/cb15-215.html
3. National Science Foundation. (2016, April 1). California drought patterns becoming more common. Retrieved June 8, 2019, from https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=137911
4. Arndt, & Enloe. (n.d.). Did You Know? Retrieved June 8, 2019, from https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/monitoring-references/dyk/subtropical-highs
2. US Census Bureau. (2018, April 10). North Carolina Becomes Ninth State with 10 Million Population. Retrieved June 8, 2019, from https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2015/cb15-215.html
3. National Science Foundation. (2016, April 1). California drought patterns becoming more common. Retrieved June 8, 2019, from https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=137911
4. Arndt, & Enloe. (n.d.). Did You Know? Retrieved June 8, 2019, from https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/monitoring-references/dyk/subtropical-highs
5. Borunda, A., & Elliott, K. (2018, November 15). See how a warmer world primed California for large fires. Retrieved June 8, 2019, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2018/11/climate-change-california-wildfire/
6. California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection. (2012). Benefits of Fire. Retrieved June 8, 2019, from https://www.fire.ca.gov/communications/downloads/fact_sheets/TheBenefitsofFire.pdf
6. California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection. (2012). Benefits of Fire. Retrieved June 8, 2019, from https://www.fire.ca.gov/communications/downloads/fact_sheets/TheBenefitsofFire.pdf
7. US Forest Service. (2014, June 9). USDA Releases State by State Impacts of Limited Wildfire Suppression In Recent Years. Retrieved June 8, 2019, from https://www.fs.fed.us/news/releases/usda-releases-state-state-impacts-limited-wildfire-suppression-recent-years
8. University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. (n.d.). What will the climate feel like in 60 years? Retrieved from https://fitzlab.shinyapps.io/cityapp/
8. University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. (n.d.). What will the climate feel like in 60 years? Retrieved from https://fitzlab.shinyapps.io/cityapp/
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