Question

1. describe an invasive species and how it can disrupt a native ecosystem. give a real or hypothetical example.

climate change (c): climate change is a significant threat to biodiversity. rising temperatures, altered weather patterns, and sea - level rise can disrupt ecosystems and cause habitat loss.
think about a coral reef, the tropical rainforests of the ocean. due to rising global temperatures, the ocean becomes warmer, causing coral bleaching. the colorful corals, which provide shelter and food for countless fish and other species, turn white and can eventually die, leaving the ecosystem in jeopardy.
https://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/earth - coral - reefs - could - be - gone - 2100 - research - find - n1138151

1. discuss climate change and its impact on biodiversity. include examples of how rising temperatures can affect species and ecosystems.

Explanation:

Invasive species like the zebra - mussel can disrupt native ecosystems. They reproduce rapidly and out - compete native species for resources. For climate change, rising temperatures cause coral bleaching, harming coral reef ecosystems. Coral reefs are habitats for many species, and their degradation affects biodiversity.

Answer:

1. An example of an invasive species is the zebra - mussel. It was introduced to North American waterways from Europe. Zebra - mussels reproduce quickly and attach to hard surfaces in large numbers. They filter large amounts of water for food, out - competing native organisms for plankton, a key food source. This can lead to a decline in native fish and invertebrate populations as their food supply is reduced and their habitats are altered.
2. Climate change is a major threat to biodiversity. Rising temperatures are causing coral bleaching in coral reefs. As the ocean warms, corals expel the symbiotic algae living within them, turning white. Since corals provide shelter and food for countless marine species, their death due to bleaching can lead to the collapse of entire reef ecosystems. In addition, rising temperatures can cause the range of some species to shift. For example, some mountain - dwelling species may be forced to move to higher elevations as lower elevations become too warm, but if they run out of suitable habitat at higher elevations, they may face extinction.