Question

classify the impacts of climate change as affecting human health, natural ecosystems, agriculture and food, or water supplies. human health natural ecosystems agriculture and food supplies water supplies answer bank increase in regions affected by severe drought pollution from flooding and storm surges declining fisheries species extinction due to habitat loss lower crop yields disappearance of alpine glaciers and snowpack reduced ability for invertebrates to produce new shells and exoskeletons increase in vector - borne tropical diseases shifts in reptile sex ratios and reproductive potential increase in heat - related deaths

Explanation:

• Human health:
• "pollution from flooding and storm surges" can contaminate water and air, affecting human health.
• "increase in vector - borne tropical diseases" as climate change expands the range of disease - carrying vectors.
• "increase in heat - related deaths" due to rising temperatures.
• Natural ecosystems:
• "species extinction due to habitat loss" as climate change alters habitats.
• "disappearance of alpine glaciers and snowpack" which are part of natural ecosystems.
• "reduced ability for invertebrates to produce new shells and exoskeletons" due to ocean acidification (a climate - related issue).
• "shifts in reptile sex ratios and reproductive potential" as climate change affects temperature - dependent reptile reproduction.
• "declining fisheries" as climate change impacts ocean ecosystems and fish habitats.
• Agriculture and food supplies:
• "lower crop yields" as climate change affects temperature, precipitation, and pests, impacting agriculture.
• "increase in regions affected by severe drought" which dries out soil and reduces water for crops.
• Water supplies:
• "increase in regions affected by severe drought" reduces available water.
• "disappearance of alpine glaciers and snowpack" which are important sources of fresh water.

Answer:

• Human health: pollution from flooding and storm surges, increase in vector - borne tropical diseases, increase in heat - related deaths
• Natural ecosystems: species extinction due to habitat loss, disappearance of alpine glaciers and snowpack, reduced ability for invertebrates to produce new shells and exoskeletons, shifts in reptile sex ratios and reproductive potential, declining fisheries
• Agriculture and food supplies: lower crop yields, increase in regions affected by severe drought
• Water supplies: increase in regions affected by severe drought, disappearance of alpine glaciers and snowpack