Assignment:

● You are not allowed to talk during this activity! Communicate only using your pens.
● Add your knowledge, make corrections, make connections.
● Write down everything you know about climate change and the topics connected to it.
● Climate change
● Carbon cycle
● Feedback loops
● Systems & models
● Steady-state equilibrium & tipping point
● Ocean currents
● Climate and weather
 D4.3 Climate change

Theme: Unity and diversity

Level of organization: Molecules
Watch: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-wales-59122681

https://showyourstripes.info/l/globe
Sustainable Development Goal

https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal13 https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal14
Guiding questions

● What are the drivers of climate change?

● What are the impacts of climate change on ecosystems?

Are you a believer of climate change?
Recommended to watch
• Climate change – The Facts in 4 minutes
Presented by David Attenborough 2019
(BBC)

• Climate change – The Facts Presented by

David Attenborough 2019 (BBC) (1 hour)

• The Truth about Climate Change – part 1.

Presented by David Attenborough 2006
(BBC) (1 hour). A little older but a good
explanation.
SL & HL content statements
D4.3.1 - Anthropogenic causes of climate change.

D4.3.2 - Positive feedback cycles in climate change.

D4.3.3 - Change form net carbon accumulation to net loss in boreal forests as an example of
a tipping point.

D4.3.4 - Melting of landfast ice and sea ice as examples of polar habitat change.

D4.3.5 - Changes in ocean currents altering the timing and extent of nutrient upwelling.

D4.3.6 - Poleward and upslope range shifts of temperate species.

D4.3.7 - Threats to coral reefs as an example of potential ecosystem collapse.

D4.3.8 - Afforestation, forest regeneration and restoration of peat forming wetlands as

approaches to carbon sequestration.
Additional higher level content
D4.3.9 - Phenology as research into the timing of biological events.

D4.3.10 - Disruption to the synchrony of phenological events by climate change.

D4.3.11 - Increases to the number of insect life cycles within a year due to climate
change.

D4.3.12 - Evolution as a consequence of climate change.

CAS

CAS idea
● Raise awareness of the impact of
emails and document in the cloud on
carbon footprint and climate change.
https://www.digitalcleanupday.org/

https://www.digitalcleanupday.org/
C4.2.20—Analysis of the Keeling Curve in terms of photosynthesis, respiration and
combustion

Include analysis of
both the annual
fluctuations and the
long-term trend.

“Carbon Fluxes.” Old-Ib.bioninja.com.au, old-ib.bioninja.com.au/standard-level/topic-4-ecology/43-carbon-cycling/carbon-fluxes.html. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

D4.2.4—Use of a model to investigate the effect of variables on ecosystem stability

Modelling Climate change

● Interview with Dr Drew Purves, Head of

the Computational Ecology and
Environmental Science Group at
Microsoft Research in Cambridge, UK.

● http://www.saps.org.uk/secondary/teachi
ng-resources/1402-interviews-with-scient
ists-drew-purves-on-computer-modelling-
ecology-and-climate-change
D4.2.4—Use of a model to investigate the effect of variables on ecosystem stability
D4.3.1 - Anthropogenic causes of climate change.

Limit to anthropogenic increase in

atmospheric concentrations of carbon
dioxide and methane.

Source: University of Colorado Boulder.

https://www.colorado.edu/ecenter/sites/default/files/styles/large/pu
blic/page/greenhouse-effect.jpeg?itok=4X5-u6Iz
NOS - Correlation and causation

NOS - Students should be able to distinguish

between positive and negative correlation
and should also distinguish between correlation
and causation.
For example data form Antarctic ice cores shows
a positive correlation between global
temperatures and atmospheric carbon dioxide
concentration over hundred of thousands of
years.
This correlation does not prove that carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere increases global
temperatures, although other evidence confirms
the causal link.

http://www.unep.org/geo/geo_ice/graphics.asp
D4.3.1 - Anthropogenic causes of climate change.

Greenhouse gases
● Greenhouse gases absorb longwave
infrared radiation (IR) and re-emit the
radiation into the atmosphere.

● There are many greenhouse gases, the

most important ones are:
○ Water vapour
○ Carbon dioxide
○ Methane
○ Ozone
○ Nitrous oxide
D4.3.1 - Anthropogenic causes of climate change.

Greenhouse gases - carbon dioxide

● Carbon dioxide is a strong

greenhouse gas.

● It is constantly moving through the

carbon cycle.

● It has a relatively low concentration in

the atmosphere (~420ppm and
rising!).
https://awa.agriadapt.eu/en/
D4.3.1 - Anthropogenic causes of climate change.

Greenhouse gases - carbon dioxide

● Human activities are

increasing the amount of
carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere.

● For example: burning fossil

fuels and deforestation.

.
D4.3.1 - Anthropogenic causes of climate change.

Greenhouse gases - methane

● Methane is a very strong greenhouse

gas. 30x stronger than carbon
dioxide.

● The concentration in the atmosphere

is very low (~1.9ppm and rising!).

● Therefore its overall contribution is

currently low but rapidly increasing.

https://awa.agriadapt.eu/en/
D4.3.1 - Anthropogenic causes of climate change.

Greenhouse gases - methane

● Methane is produced by bacteria
in anaerobic circumstances e.g. In
cow’s gut, swamps and rice
paddies, or landfill sites.

● Methane is oxidized to carbon

dioxide and water in the
atmosphere.

A methane plume at least 3 miles (4.8 km) long billows in south Tehran,
Iran. The plume comes from a major landfill, where methane is a
byproduct of decomposition. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)
https://www.livescience.com/nasa-detects-methane-plumes
D4.3.1 - Anthropogenic causes of climate change.

Short wave & Infrared radiation (long wave!)

● The short waves from the sun are
absorbed by the Earth.

● The Earth warms up and reemits the

radiation in the form of long wave/
Infrared radiation i.e. heat.

https://static.skepticalscience.com/images/evidence_greenhouse.jpg
D4.3.1 - Anthropogenic causes of climate change.

The Greenhouse Effect

● Long wave radiation is absorbed by

greenhouse gas molecules in the
atmosphere, warming them up.

● Greenhouse gas molecules emit heat

as long wave radiation in all directions.

● Earth’s surface gets warmed up more,

which emits more longwave radiation.

https://static.skepticalscience.com/images/evidence_greenhouse.jpg
D4.3.1 - Anthropogenic causes of climate change.

The Greenhouse Effect

● The warming of the Earth’s surface
and the lower atmosphere due to the
presence of greenhouse gases is
called the greenhouse effect.

● Without greenhouse gases the Earth’s

average temperature would be -18°C
whereas now it is 16°C.

https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/climatescience/greenhousegas
es/_jcr_content/articleContent/columnbootstrap_0/column0/image.
img.jpg/1374179911247.jpg
http://maps.grida.no/go/graphic/greenhouse_effect
D4.3.1 - Anthropogenic causes of climate change.

Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

● Enhanced greenhouse effect is
caused by human activities
increasing the concentration of
greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere.

● The enhanced greenhouse effect

increases the temperature of the
atmosphere, which is causing
Source: University of Colorado Boulder.
https://www.colorado.edu/ecenter/sites/default/files/styles/large/pu
climate change.
blic/page/greenhouse-effect.jpeg?itok=4X5-u6Iz
D4.3.1 - Anthropogenic causes of climate change.

Climate vs weather
● Climate is a region’s general
pattern of weather conditions over
a long period of time.
● It is determined by average
insolation, precipitation and
temperature.
● Weather is the short term
atmospheric condition.

http://www.global-greenhouse-warming.com/climate
-weather.html
D4.3.1 - Anthropogenic causes of climate change.

http://radioviceonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/knorr2009_co2_sequestration.pdf
D4.3.1 - Anthropogenic causes of climate change.

Ice core drilling

● Ice core samples have been collected in
Antarctica.
● The gas trapped in the fossilised ice is
analysed to determine CO2 concentration.
● The temperature can also be determined
using the ratio of oxygen isotopes present
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Featur in the air.
es/Paleoclimatology_IceCores/Images/g
reenland_drilling.jpg
● Determining temperature this way is called
a proxy measurement (=not direct
measurement)
D4.3.1 - Anthropogenic causes of climate change.

Carbon dioxide, methane & temperature

Historical data of carbon
dioxide, methane and
temperature on earth.

See -think - wonder

http://priceoncarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Ice-core-data.jpg
NOS - Correlation and causation

Positive and negative correlation

● A positive correlation means
as one factor goes up, the
other also goes up.

● A negative correlation means

as one factor goes up, the
other goes down.

● What correlation is shown by

the data in the graphs?

http://www.unep.org/geo/geo_ice/graphics.asp
NOS - Correlation and causation

Global temperatures and CO2 concentration

Antarctic ice-core data show the long-term correlation until about 1900.
(Graphs by Robert Simmon, using data from Lüthi et al., 2008, and Jouzel et al.,2007.)
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/CarbonCycle/images/epica_CO2_temperature.png

● Graph showing a strong positive correlation between carbon dioxide

concentration and global temperatures.
● Correlation does not mean causation, there needs to be evidence to
link the two variables. This evidence is found for climate change.
D4.3.1 - Anthropogenic causes of climate change.

https://slideplayer.com/slide/8314356/
D4.3.1 - Anthropogenic causes of climate change.

Hole in the Ozone Layer

● A common misconception is that the hole in
the ozone layer causes the enhanced
greenhouse effect and climate change.
● The thinning of the ozone layer due to CFCs
caused cataracts, skin cancer and reduced
crop yield but NOT climate change.
● The Montreal Protocol signed in 1987 is a
great example of a success story that
international treaties can be used to tackle
environmental problems.

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/mcs/media/images/81202000/jpg/_81202675_77516274.jpg
NOS - Scientists working together/ Publishing data

International cooperation
● Scientists work together internationally,
publishing their data so that other scientists
are able to use it.

● One such website is the NOAA Earth System

Research Laboratories - Global Monitoring
Laboratory - https://gml.noaa.gov/

● https://gml.noaa.gov/
D4.3.1 - Anthropogenic causes of climate change.

Watch: 13 Misconceptions about Global Warming by Veritasium

D4.3.2 - Positive feedback cycles in climate change. (its a problem!)

Include (1) release of carbon

dioxide from deep ocean, (2)
increases in absorption of solar
radiation due to loss of reflective
snow and ice, (3) accelerating rates
of decomposition of peat and
previously undecomposed organic
matter in permafrost, (4) release of
methane from melting permafrost
and (5) increase in droughts and
forest fires.

http://beyondpenguins.ehe.osu.edu/issue/energy-and-the-polar-environme
nt/solar-energy-albedo-and-the-polar-regions
C4.1.6 - Negative feedback control of population size by density-dependent factors.

Positive feedback
● Positive feedback – a change in
state of the system causes more of
that change to occur.
● The system moves away from
equilibrium.

● The system changes to a new state.

● Destabilizing as it increases
change.

https://www.pngkey.com/detail/u2e6t4o0q8e6r5e6_feed
back-loops-diagram-positive-feedback-loop/
D4.3.2 - Positive feedback cycles in climate change.

Increased release of carbon dioxide and methane

● Increased temperatures
leads to increased release
of carbon dioxide (and
methane) from natural
systems
● Which leads to increased
temperature
● Causing more release of
GHGs and repeat of the
cycle.
● This is a positive
feedback loop.
https://slideplayer.com/slide/14098415/86/images/32/The+Carbon+Dioxi
de+Positive+Feedback+Loop.jpg
D4.3.2 - Positive feedback cycles in climate change.

The Albedo Effect

● Albedo – the proportion of solar
radiation that is reflected by a
particular body or surface.

● Snow, ice and clouds have a high

albedo, 80 - 90%.

● Water has a low albedo - 10%.

http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view.php?id=60636
D4.3.2 - Positive feedback cycles in climate change.

Changes in albedo
Changes in albedo take place due to:
● Desertification
● Deforestation
● Loss of polar ice and glaciers.
● Changes in cloud cover.

https://www.e-education.psu.edu/meteo469/node/130
D4.3.2 - Positive feedback cycles in climate change.

Reduced albedo effect

● Warm temperatures

● Melting of snow and ice

● Reduced albedo

● More absorption of solar energy

● Warmer temperatures

http://beyondpenguins.ehe.osu.edu/issue/energy-and-the-polar-environme
nt/solar-energy-albedo-and-the-polar-regions
D4.3.2 - Positive feedback cycles in climate change.

Thawing permafrost
● Permafrost is ground that is frozen
all year round.
● Large amounts of carbon are
locked away in the frozen soil.

● Temperature increases
● Thawing of the ground
● Decomposition of detritus by
decomposer
● Increased release of carbon
dioxide and methane
● Temperature increases.
Jeff Vanuga/ Getty
https://www.intelligentliving.co/rapidly-thawing-permafrost-could-double-
greenhouse-gas-emissions/
D4.3.2 - Positive feedback cycles in climate change.

Positive feedback of carbon dioxide & methane

● Watch this clip from Earth: The

Power of the Planet – Atmosphere

● Increased temperatures also

increase the decomposition of peat
causing a positive feedback loop.

https://www.carbonbrief.org/guest-post-are-the-worlds-peatlands-better-protected-after-cop26/
D4.3.2 - Positive feedback cycles in climate change.
D4.3.2 - Positive feedback cycles in climate change.

Oceans as carbon dioxide sink and source

● Usually more carbon dioxide diffuses into
the ocean than out, where it is locked
away by photosynthesizing
phytoplankton, the ocean is a carbon
sink.
● As atmospheric temperature increases
the ocean temperature increases.
● Warm water can hold less carbon dioxide
gas, which is released into the
atmosphere.
● The ocean become a carbon source and
a positive feedback loop is created.
https://66.media.tumblr.com/bab0d8c55251ce78a9bda4ec0ba48f97/tumblr_nohv30UeGg1qmdno0o1_1280.jpg
Image: University of Exeter College of Life and Environmental Sciences
https://www.meteorologicaltechnologyinternational.com/news/climate-measurement/oceans-absorbing-co2-at-much-higher-rates-th
an-previously-thought.html
D4.3.2 - Positive feedback cycles in climate change.

Increased droughts and forest fires

● Increased temperatures lead to
more droughts and plants dying.

● As a result productivity decreases

(less photosynthesis) so less
carbon dioxide is removed from
the atmosphere.

● Increased droughts leads to more

frequent and bigger forest fires,
releasing carbon dioxide in the air.

https://science.thewire.in/environment/85-fresh-forest-fires-reported-in-ut
tarakhand-over-last-24-hours/
D4.3.3 - Change from net carbon accumulation (sink) to net loss (source) in boreal forests as an
example of a tipping point.

Include warmer temperatures and

decreased winter snowfall leading to
increased incidence of drought and
reductions in primary production in
taiga, with forest browning an
increase in the frequency and
intensity of forest fires which result in
legacy carbon combustion.

https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/609/2018/11/understanding-soil-carbon-1188x792.jpg
D4.2.2 - Requirements for stability in ecosystems.

Tipping point

● Tipping point is a shift in an

ecosystem to a new equilibrium
state.

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/546d2a7ce4b0372616465f0f/t/548db97ae4b0999c4d88e167/1418574202763/
D4.3.3 - Change from net carbon accumulation to net loss in boreal forests as an example of a
tipping point.

Legacy carbon
● Trees in forests photosynthesis,
removing carbon dioxide from the
air, making them carbon sinks.

● In boreal forests the cold

temperatures cause carbon to be
locked in the soil from thousands of
years ago, this is legacy carbon.

https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/609/2018/11/understanding-soil-carbon-1188x792.jpg
D4.3.3 - Change from net carbon accumulation to net loss in boreal forests as an example of a
tipping point.

Moisture for boreal forests

● Boreal forests get a lot of their

moisture from melting snow.

● Climate change reduces the amount

of snow that falls and therefore the
volume of soil moisture for the tree is
reduced.

https://wallpaperset.com/snowy-forest-wallpaper
D4.3.3 - Change from net carbon accumulation to net loss in boreal forests as an example of a
tipping point.

Forest browning
Lack of water reduces photosynthesis this
causes:
● Lower primary productivity
● Less carbon dioxide removed from the
atmosphere
● Pine needles losing their chlorophyll
causing forest browning.
● If the drought continues the forest dies,
effectively causing deforestation.

https://www.yourweather.co.uk/news/science/why-europe-s-forests-turning
-brown-summer-weather-climate-change.html
D4.3.3 - Change from net carbon accumulation to net loss in boreal forests as an example of a
tipping point.

Tipping point
● Continued drought leads to more forest
fires.

● The trees but also the legacy carbon in

the soil burns, releasing carbon dioxide
in the air.

● Forests switch from being a carbon sink

to carbon source, this is an example of
a tipping point.
https://consent.yahoo.com/v2/collectConsent?sessionId=3_cc-session_5d
83d10b-bd07-4a5e-bde5-3a2562cc8ba6
D4.3.4 - Melting of landfast ice and sea ice as examples of polar habitat change.

Include potential loss of breeding

grounds of the emperor penguin
(Aptenodytes forsteri) due to early
breakout of landfast ice in the
Antarctic and loss of sea ice habitat
for walruses in the Arctic.
Note: When students are referring to
organisms in an examination, either the
common name or the scientific name is
acceptable.
D4.3.4 - Melting of landfast ice and sea ice as examples of polar habitat change.

Melting landfast ice and the emperor penguin in Antarctic

● Landfast ice forms when the sea

freezes but is attached to land.
● Emperor penguins (Aptenodytes
forsteri) breeds on the ice during the
Antarctic winter.
● Climate change causes melting of
landfast ice sheets (=habitat loss) and
early detachment from the land having a
negative effect on breeding success.
● The emperor penguin’s food supply is
also dependent on the presence of
landfast ice.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FzUBFJdaYAEHHye.jpg:large
D4.3.4 - Melting of landfast ice and sea ice as examples of polar habitat change.

Melting sea ice and the walrus in the Arctic

Loss of sea ice habitat due to melting has an
negative effect on the walrus population:
● Female walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)
use sea ice in the Arctic to rear their
young.

● The sea ice protects the young from

predators and trampling by male walrus.

● The sea ice is also closer to feeding

grounds making feeding more efficient for
the female and increasing survival of the
Image by Paul Souders/Corbis
female and her young.
https://hakaimagazine.com/features/what-now-walrus/?hootPostID=ffa7711d465d248b77d2826abaa22976
D4.3.5 - Changes in ocean currents altering the timing and extent of nutrient upwelling.

Warmer surface water can prevent

nutrient upwelling to the surface,
decreasing ocean primary
production and energy flow through
marine food chains.

https://useruploads.socratic.org/RYAr9ksERDizfUVsQOqr_upwelling.jpg
D4.3.5 - Changes in ocean currents altering the timing and extent of nutrient upwelling.

Ocean currents
● Ocean currents are mainly caused by
changes in water density due to
temperature and salinity.

● The currents distribute heat around

the globe, affecting the climate.

https://www.worldatlas.com/oceans/what-is-the-ocean-conveyor-belt.html
D4.3.5 - Changes in ocean currents altering the timing and extent of nutrient upwelling.

Nutrient upwelling
● Deep ocean currents are forced
upwards when they reach a
continental shelf.
● This brings nutrient rich water to
the surface water where the light
can penetrate.
● Carbon is fixed by
photosynthesis giving high
primary productivity and energy
enters the marine food chains.
● Dead organisms sink to the
bottom of the ocean and
decompose.
https://useruploads.socratic.org/RYAr9ksERDizfUVsQOqr_upwelling.jpg
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jochen-Kaempf/publication/307434835/figure/fig11/AS:601718358306830@1520472244610/Locations-of-significant-
coastal-upwelling-regions-in-the-world-ocean.png
D4.3.5 - Changes in ocean currents altering the timing and extent of nutrient upwelling.

Climate change and reduced nutrient upwelling

● Climate change warms the surface of the

water.
● The higher temperature and fresh water
from melting ice decreases the density of
the water on the surface.
● The layers of warm and cold water
become more distinct and mix less
(increased stratification).
● This changes ocean currents and
reduces the nutrient upwelling,
decreasing primary productivity and
energy flow through marine food chains.
https://www.cnrs.fr/en/press/climate-change-has-reduced-ocean-mixing-far-more-expected
D4.3.5 - Changes in ocean currents altering the timing and extent of nutrient upwelling.

El Niño
● During a neutral phase
prevailing trade winds blow
warm ocean water westwards,
drawing up nutrient richwater.

● The nutrient upwelling provides

for rich food webs including
large schools of sardines.
x

https://blog.metservice.com/El-Nino-explained
D4.3.5 - Changes in ocean currents altering the timing and extent of nutrient upwelling.

El Niño
● During an El Niño year the trade
winds blow eastwards, warm
water accumulates in front of the
coast of south America.

● The nutrient upwelling is greatly

reduced, reducing primary
production, energy flow through
the food chain and fewer fish for
x
the fishermen.

https://blog.metservice.com/El-Nino-explained
D4.3.5 - Changes in ocean currents altering the timing and extent of nutrient upwelling.

El Niño
● El Niño events occur every 2 - 7
years.

● It has an impact on the global

weather.

● Climate change is likely to make

extreme El Niño events more
frequent by the end of this
century.

https://www.vox.com/2015/8/17/9164499/el-nino-2015
D4.3.6 - Poleward and upslope range shifts of temperate species.

As evidence-based examples, include

upslope range shifts for tropical-zone
montane bird species in New
Guinea and range contraction and
northward spread in North
American tree species.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/49/79/3c/49793cec86cd6e
002baaf9fd0ae73f7e.jpg
D4.3.6 - Poleward and upslope range shifts of temperate species.

Upslope range shift

● Montane species live at a specific

elevation on the mountain.
● As altitude increases the average
temperature drops.
● Due to climate change the average
temperature at each altitude is
increasing.
● This causes species to move up the
mountain.
D4.3.6 - Poleward and upslope range shifts of temperate species.

Upslope range shift

● Upslope range shift leads to
interspecific competition.
● Competition may force species to
move to marginal niches or they may
disappear altogether.
● Montane bird species in both
temperate and tropical biomes have
moved up the mountain.
● Tropical species are more severely
affected due to being more sensitive
Mountain Gerygone, White winged robin by David
to temperature fluctuations.
Cook, Crested berrypecker by Knud Andreas Jønsson
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kookr/14994272432 ,
Crested satinbird live on Mnt. Karimui, New https://pngbirds.myspecies.info/taxonomy/term/8473/media
Guinea. Another 1ºC increase will cause local https://www.eurekalert.org/multimedia/936625
population extinction. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/49/79/3c/49793cec86cd6e002baaf9fd0ae73f7e.jpg
D4.3.6 - Poleward and upslope range shifts of temperate species.
Range shift of birds in Papua New Guinea

Changes in species’ elevational limits for Mt. Karimui upper elevational limits (A), Mt. Karimui lower elevational limits (B), and
Karkar Island upper elevational limits (C).
Changes in species’ elevational limits between historical and modern resurveys are plotted against historical elevational limits
measured in the 1960s (19, 20).
Points on the solid zero-change lines represent species with unchanged elevational limits.
D3.2.15 - Box-and-whisker plots to represent data for continuous variable

Box-and-whisker plots

● Box-and-whisker plots give you a visual

representation of the variation in the data.
● The bottom line is the first quartile -
25% of data points fall below this line.
● The top line is the third quartile - 75% of
data points fall below this line.
● The box length represents the
interquartile range, it shows the middle
50% of data around the median
● The line in the box shows the median of
the data (the middle data value).

https://blog.minitab.com/en/statistics-and-quality-data-analysis/how-to-think-outside-the-boxplot &
https://www.medcalc.org/manual/box-and-whisker-plot.php
D3.2.15 - Box-and-whisker plots to represent data for continuous variable

Box-and-whisker plots

● The position of the median within the

box tells you how symmetrical the
data is.
● The whiskers show the minimum and
maximum values (excluding outliers).
● Outliers are marked separately (see
previous slide).
● Box-and-whisker allow quick
comparison of the data.

https://www.statology.org/when-to-use-box-plot/
D4.3.6 - Poleward and upslope range shifts of temperate species.

Range shift of tropical

and temperate
montane organisms

Shift rates of temperate-zone and tropical montane organisms in resurveys documenting distributional responses to
temperature increases. Shift rates represent the average upslope shift (m) documented in a resurvey compared with the
predicted upslope shift (m) given local temperature increase. A shift rate of 1 signifies observed shifts that match
predicted shifts. Boxplots with median and quartile values for temperate-zone and tropical shift rates are overlain on
points summarizing shift rates of temperate-zone (n = 28) and tropical (n = 7) resurveys of a variety of taxonomic
groups.
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1318190111
ToK

Mini discussion:
Scientists use data and measurable evidence to reach conclusions. But
are there some types of evidence that are less reliable than others?
Often when evaluating the reliability of data and assessing the level of
confidence, scientists look at the overall characteristics of the study,
including samples size, range of results or the methodologies uses,
such as whether or not the data was measured directly or by proxy.

● What features of evidence in the natural science make them

convincing and valid and what features make them unreliable?

Discuss with the people beside you.

D4.3.6 - Poleward and upslope range shifts of temperate species.

Poleward range shift

● The black spruce trees (Picea
mariana) in North America
have moved 10km north over
30 years.

● This could be due to climate

change.
Distribution of black spruce trees.
Top line shows 90th percentile of latitude and the
bottom line the 50th percentile of latitude.
Blue line is data from 1992 - 2002
Red line is data from 1970 - 1977.
Source: A. Damon, IB Biology textbook, Pearson.
D4.3.6 - Poleward and upslope range shifts of temperate species.

Poleward range shift

Challenges and limitations with interpreting the
data on black spruce trees:
● For some species the pattern changes from
East to West.
● Patterns for full grown trees and saplings may
contradict each other.
● Other factors than temperature e.g., pest
outbreaks, ice storms, forest fires and logging
can cause range changes.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Picea_mariana_Treeti_xFEGqYByxzqC.jpeg
D4.3.6 - Poleward and upslope range shifts of temperate species.

Biome shift
● Increasing
temperatures cause
biomes to shift.
● On average globally
biomes move with a
speed of 0.42 km/yr

https://bpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/sites.gsu.edu/dist/0/134/files/2014/12/Bio
mesShift_small-sxlagh.png
Linking Question

Mini discussion:

• What processes determine the distribution

of organisms on Earth?

Discuss with the people beside you.

D4.3.7 - Threats to coral reefs as an example of potential ecosystem collapse.

Increased carbon dioxide concentrations

are the cause of ocean acidification and
(causes) suppression of calcification
in corals.

Increases in water temperature are a

cause of coral bleaching.

Loss of corals causes the collapse of

reef ecosystems.
D4.3.7 - Threats to coral reefs as an example of potential ecosystem collapse.

Ocean warming
● Increase in atmospheric
temperatures cause
increase in ocean
temperatures.

● Increased carbon dioxide

concentration in the
atmosphere causes more to
As atmospheric CO2 rises, seawater CO2 rises.
This results in a decrease in seawater pH diffuse into the oceans.
http://pmel.noaa.gov/co2/files/hitimeseries2.jpg
D4.3.7 - Threats to coral reefs as an example of potential ecosystem collapse.

Corals
• Zooxantellae (algea) live inside the
tissues of reef corals in a mutualistic
relationship.
• Zooxanthellae is a photosynthetic
algae and provides coral with glucose,
amino acids and oxygen.
• Coral provides zooxanthellae with
protection close to the water surface
where there is lots of light for
photosynthesis.
Pearl-spotted owlet peeping out • Zooxanthellae improve coral’s
of its nest, Roodeplaatdam Dam, nutrition enabling them to make their
South Africa. [photo Johann hard exoskeletons making coral reefs
Grobbelaar ©] very productive ecosystems.
D4.3.7 - Threats to coral reefs as an example of potential ecosystem collapse.

Ocean warming and acidification

Coral reefs are very sensitive to
increases in temperature but also
sensitive to changes in pH.

https://sea-birdscientific.com/pH/BlogPostAssets/images/oa_sbs_infographic.jpg
D4.3.7 - Threats to coral reefs as an example of potential ecosystem collapse.

Ocean acidification
● Increased carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere leads to more diffusing into the
oceans.
● CO2 will react with the water to form
carbonic acid which dissociates to form
hydrogen (H+)and hydrogen carbonate ions
(HCO3-), making the pH of the water more
acidic.
● The extra H+ will react with the carbonate
ions (CO32-) making it less available for
organisms that need it to build their
skeleton (e.g.coral) and shells.
● A further drop in pH will cause existing
skeletons and shells to dissolve.

http://www.odec.ca/projects/2014/obri14i/VSF2014/BACKGROUN
D_files/droppedImage.jpg
D4.3.7 - Threats to coral reefs as an example of potential ecosystem collapse.
D4.3.7 - Threats to coral reefs as an example of potential ecosystem collapse.

Coral bleaching due to increasing ocean temperatures

• Heat stress can cause coral
to expel zooxanthella
causing bleaching.
• Temperature increase,
above 30⁰C will kill
zooxanthellae
• Bleaching causes starvation
and death of the coral, and
Updated 6 Jul 2017, 10:34am
Before and after photos of coral bleaching and later dying ecosystem collapse.
between March and May 2016 off Lizard Island on the
Great Barrier Reef.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-07/coral-slime/7484522
D4.3.7 - Threats to coral reefs as an example of potential ecosystem collapse.

Assignment Use the word bank to create one or two

sentences that summarise your learning
about threats to coral reefs:
● Climate change
● Carbon dioxide
● Ocean warming
● Ocean acidification
● Coral
● Zooxanthellae
● Bleaching
● Death
● Productivity
● Biodiversity
● Tipping point
● Ecosystem collapse
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/01/the-oceans-hold-the-key-to-sustainable-development/
Linking questions

Mini inquiry:
1. What are the impacts of climate change at each
level of biological organization?

Discuss with the people beside you

D4.3.8 - Afforestation, forest regeneration and restoration of peat forming wetlands as approaches
to carbon sequestration.

NOS: There is active scientific debate

over whether plantation of non-native
tree species or rewilding with native
species offer the best approach to
carbon sequestration.
Peat formation naturally occurs in
waterlogged soils in temperate and
boreal zones and also very rapidly in
some tropical ecosystems.

https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal13
D4.3.8 - Afforestation, forest regeneration and restoration of peat forming wetlands as approaches
to carbon sequestration.

Carbon sequestration
● Carbon sequestration is the capture
of carbon and its storage.

● The carbon is removed from the

atmosphere, reducing the greenhouse
effect.

● Forests and peat formation in

wetlands are natural carbon sinks.

https://housedemocrats.wa.gov/ramos/2020/03/09/legislative-news-legislat
ure-passes-ramos-bipartisan-carbon-sequestration-bill/
D4.3.8 - Afforestation, forest regeneration and restoration of peat forming wetlands as approaches
to carbon sequestration.
Reforestation & Afforestation
● Reforestation (=forest regeneration)
is the planting of trees in forests that
have been depleted by forestry
practices or after clear cutting.

● Afforestation is the planting of trees

in areas where no forest has
previously existed.
Afforestation of endangered loam forest in
Het Groen Woud, Brabant, the
Netherlands.
https://treesforall.nl/en/report-het-groene-woud-2022-2023/
D4.3.8 - Afforestation, forest regeneration and restoration of peat forming wetlands as approaches
to carbon sequestration.
Restoration of peat forming wetlands
● Peat wetlands are the world’s largest
terrestrial carbon sink.
● Peatlands develop naturally in temperate
and boreal ecosystems and rapidly in
tropical ecosystems.

● Peatlands are drained and excavated to

use as fuel, fertiliser, gardening material,
and bedding for animals.
● Peatlands are drained for commercial
plantations e.g. palm oil.

https://peatlands.org/peat/rate-of-peat-accumulation-and-terrestrialisation/ &
https://news.mongabay.com/2022/06/draining-tropical-peatlands-for-oil-palms-isnt-just-bad-its-unnecessary-study-shows/
D4.3.8 - Afforestation, forest regeneration and restoration of peat forming wetlands as approaches
to carbon sequestration.
Restoration of peat forming wetlands

● Restoring and protecting existing peat

wetlands will allow them to continue to
act as carbon sink.

● Nature reserves can protect an area.

● Some areas need to be restored by

blocking drainage, restoring water
levels and re-establishing native
species such as sphagnum moss.
https://peatlands.org/peat/rate-of-peat-accumulation-and-terrestrialisation/ &
https://news.mongabay.com/2022/06/draining-tropical-peatlands-for-oil-palms-isnt-just-bad-its-unnecessary-study-shows/
NOS - Global impacts of Science
Debate about carbon sequestration
● Some experts recommend to plant
non-native species of trees that will
grow faster than local species,
therefore capturing carbon quickly.

● Other experts recommend

rewilding, and using local species
What would you as the best approach.
recommend, and why? Reintroducing native species that
used to flourish in the area.

https://ecologi.com/articles/blog/reforestation-vs-rewilding
ToK

Mini discussion:
Scientists do not always agree on the best
approach to solve a problem. See the debate about
carbon sequestration on the previous slide.
● How can we decide between the judgements of
experts if they disagree with each other?
Discuss with the people beside you.
Quizlet D4.3 SL
https://quizlet.com/de/953158918/d43-climate-change-flash-cards/?i=1194sh&x=1jqt
Additional higher level content
D4.3.9 - Phenology as research into the timing of biological events.

D4.3.10 - Disruption to the synchrony of phenological events by climate change.

D4.3.11 - Increases to the number of insect life cycles within a year due to climate
change.

D4.3.12 - Evolution as a consequence of climate change.

CAS

CAS idea

● Raise awareness or funds for a

reforestation programme.

● Trees for all

https://treesforall.nl/plant-een-bo
om/

● Just dig it https://justdiggit.org/nl/

D4.3.9 - Phenology as research into the timing of biological events. (HL)

Students should be aware that

photoperiod and temperature patterns
are examples of variables that
influence the timing of biological
events such as flowering, budburst
and bud set in deciduous trees, bird
migration and nesting.

https://www.worldatlas.com/r/w1200/upload/52/23/07/shutterstock-688946812.jpg
Jan Boer https://www.natuurfotografie.nl/vogeltrek-kijken-tips-en-bestemmingen-voor-elk-weertype/
D4.3.9 - Phenology as research into the timing of biological events. (HL)

Phenology
● Phenology is the study of periodical
events that are synchronized with the
seasons.

● Timing is key in nature for example seeds

germinating, plants opening their leaves
and flowering, birds migrating and laying
their eggs, insects coming out of
hibernation when plants flower.

● Photoperiod, the number of hours the

sun is shining, and change in
temperature are two key indicators for
species for periodical events.
https://www.birdnote.org/podcasts/birdnote-daily/planting-oaks-birds
D4.3.9 - Phenology as research into the timing of biological events. (HL)

Phenology in plants

● During autumn decidious trees form

buds (bud setting) for next season.
This is triggered by shortening
photoperiod or decreasing
temperature or combination of both.

● During spring new leaves emerge

from the buds (budburst), in most
species this is triggered by
temperature.

https://www.worldatlas.com/r/w1200/upload/52/23/07/shutterstock-688946812.jpg
D4.3.9 - Phenology as research into the timing of biological events. (HL)

Phenology in plants

● Daylength (night length) determines

when plants will flower.

● A long day triggers spinach and

potatoes to flower.

● A short day triggers poinsettia and

chrysanthemum to flower.

https://www.cultivariable.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/potato-flower-2.jpg and
https://www.plantshop.me/media/product/Poinsettia_Red-plantshopme.jpg
D4.3.9 - Phenology as research into the timing of biological events. (HL)

Phenology in birds
● Many birds migrate between a
summer and winter habitat, to
maximise resource use.

● For many birds change in day length

is the cue for migration.

● Birds are dependent on the presence

of caterpillars to feed their young so
the timing of laying their eggs is
critical. (Natural selection).

https://www.birdnote.org/podcasts/birdnote-daily/planting-oaks-birds en Jan Boer

https://www.natuurfotografie.nl/vogeltrek-kijken-tips-en-bestemmingen-voor-elk-weertype/
CAS

CAS idea

● Join the Globe Programme, a citizen

science project collecting data
(including phenology) for scientists.

● https://www.globe.gov/ and
https://globenederland.nl/
● Speak to Mr. Brouwers for more
information
D4.3.10 - Disruption to the synchrony of phenological events by climate change. (HL)

Students should recognize that within an ecosystem

temperature may act as the cue in one population
and photoperiod may be the cue in the another.
Include spring growth of the Arctic mouse-ear
chickweed (Cerastium arcticum) and arrival of
migrating reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) as one
example.
Also include a suitable local example or use the
breeding of the great tit (Parus major) and peak
biomass of caterpillars in north European forests as
another.
Note: When students are referring to organisms in an
examination, either the common name or the scientific
name is acceptable.
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a3qodbDyAV4/UkA2Jz06UdI/AAAAAAAAMV8/N-OjWPvSuFM/s1600/caribou+and+calf+last+light+in+gr
os+morne.jpg https://www.karelvanrompaey.be/vogels/Afbeeldingen/koolmees_azen.jpg
D4.3.10 - Disruption to the synchrony of phenological events by climate change. (HL)

Breeding in great tits

● Great tits (Parus major) use the day
length to determine when the breeding
season start and use temperature to
fine tune when to start laying eggs.

● Usually the eggs hatch so that there is

a peak biomass in caterpillars in the
forests, when hatchlings need most
food.

● This ensures sufficient food for their

young.

https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/nl/nature-reports/message/?msg=14734
D4.3.10 - Disruption to the synchrony of phenological events by climate change. (HL)

Breeding in great tits

● Climate change is causing the
caterpillar peak to happen earlier in
the year but not all birds can lay their
eggs earlier.

● This results in insufficient food for the

Great tit young and lower chances of
survival.

● Natural selection now favours the

Great tits that lay their eggs earlier in
the season - directional selection.
https://cdn.savemyexams.com/cdn-cgi/image/f=auto,width=1920/uploads/2023/08/great-tits-caterpillars-phenology-mismatch-.png
D4.3.10 - Disruption to the synchrony of phenological events by climate change. (HL)

Assignment
● Complete the IB Data analysis
question on Great tit and climate
change.

https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/nl/nature-reports/message/?msg=14734
D4.3.10 - Disruption to the synchrony of phenological events by climate change. (HL)

Reindeer migration
● In Greenland the food plants for reindeer
(caribou), use temperature to determine
when to emerge.
● The different plants will emerge in different
areas throughout the year.
● Reindeer migrate to where their food
plants emerge. They use daylength to
determine when to move.
● Arctic mouse-ear chickweed (Cerastium
arcticum) is an essential plant for reindeer
when nursing calves.
y Scott Grant
BB

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a3qodbDyAV4/UkA2Jz06UdI/AAAAAAAAMV8/N-OjWPvSuFM/s
1600/caribou+and+calf+last+light+in+gros+morne.jpg and
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/close-arctic-mouseear-chickweed-cerastium-600
nw-2260468137.jpg
D4.3.10 - Disruption to the synchrony of phenological events by climate change. (HL)

Mismatch reindeer and arctic-mouse ear

● Climate change has caused a
mismatch between peak
development of the Arctic mouse-ear
chickweed and reindeer migration.
● Reindeer are less able to meet the
nutritional needs of themselves and
their calves.
● This could be a cause for the
observed decrease in the population.

y Scott Grant
BB

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a3qodbDyAV4/UkA2Jz06UdI/AAAAAAAAMV8/N-OjWPvSuFM/s1600/caribou+and+cal
f+last+light+in+gros+morne.jpg and
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/close-arctic-mouseear-chickweed-cerastium-600nw-2260468137.jpg
D4.3.11 - Increases to the number of insect life cycles within a year due to climate change. (HL)

Use the spruce bark beetle (Ips

typographus or Dendroctonus
micans) as an example.

Note: When students are referring to

organisms in an examination, either the
common name or the scientific name is
acceptable.

https://gd.eppo.int/media/data/taxon/D/DENCMI/pics/1024x0/13759.jpg
https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/damage-tree-european-spruce-bark-beetle-ips-typographus-e
uropean-spruce-bark-beetle-calamity-tatra-spruce-bark-158434440.jpg
D4.3.11 - Increases to the number of insect life cycles within a year due to climate change. (HL)

Spruce bark beetles

● Spruce bark beetles (Dendroctonus micans)
lay their eggs underneath the bark of
Spruce trees.

● Generally they complete their life cycle in

two years and the development is not
synchronised so the number of beetles
emerging and attacking trees is low.

● When temperatures are warmer the life

cycle can be completed in 1 year and
development is synchronised leading to
large numbers emerging and attacking
https://gd.eppo.int/media/data/taxon/D/DENCMI/pics/1024x0/13759.jpg
trees at once.
https://bugwoodcloud.org/images/768x512/1433022.jpg
D4.3.11 - Increases to the number of insect life cycles within a year due to climate change. (HL)

Spruce trees
● Healthy spruce trees can survive a
moderate number of Spruce tree beetle
attacks.

● Weakened trees are less able to deal

with a beetle attack and can die.

● Warmer temperatures, low rainfall and

droughts cause stress to trees
weakening them.
https://www.treehugger.com/thmb/4867wGqb3QDjldjOZ2rYsgPxwIo=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale(
):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-155438700-238a4d4bb9c14641a90ccad81c79c82
6.jpg
D4.3.11 - Increases to the number of insect life cycles within a year due to climate change. (HL)

Spruce bark beetles

● Climate change has caused warmer
temperatures and droughts which have
weakened the Spruce trees.
● Warmer temperatures have caused
Spruce bark beetles to synchronise and
complete their life cycle in one year.
● The large number of Spruce bark
beetles on the weakened trees have
caused large numbers of trees to die for
example Norway.
https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/damage-tree-european-spruce-bark-beetle-ips-typographus-e
uropean-spruce-bark-beetle-calamity-tatra-spruce-bark-158434440.jpg
D4.3.12 - Evolution as a consequence of climate change. (HL)

Include changes in the fitness of colour

variants of the tawny owl (Strix aluco)
as a consequence of changes in snow
cover.

Note: When students are referring to

organisms in an examination, either the
common name or the scientific name is
acceptable.

https://www.naturephoto-cz.com/photos/birds/strix-aluco-96418.jpg
D4.3.12 - Evolution as a consequence of climate change. (HL)

Tawny owls

● Tawny owls exist in two colour variants,

grey and brown.

● Natural selection determines which

colour dominates in a population.

https://www.naturephoto-cz.com/photos/birds/strix-aluco-96418.jpg
D4.3.12 - Evolution as a consequence of climate change. (HL)

● Analyse the graphs on this and the next slide. What conclusion can you make?
● Graph a shows survival of grey and brown tawny owls in relation to snow depth.
● Graph b shows snow depth over time.
● Graph c shows estimated survival of grey and brown tawny owls over time.
● See the article here: https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms1213
D4.3.12 - Evolution as a consequence of climate change. (HL)

● Graph c shows frequency of brown tawny owls in the population in

Finland.
● See the article here: https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms1213
D4.3.12 - Evolution as a consequence of climate change. (HL)

Evolution due to climate change in Tawny owls

● Brown tawny owls are better camouflaged
when there is no snow.
● Climate change in Finland has led to milder
winters with less snow.
● Chances of surviving increased for the
brown tawny owl, perhaps due to improved
camouflage from predators when there is
little snow.
● The proportion of brown tawny owls in the
population increased.
● This is an example of evolution by natural
selection due to climate change.
https://www.naturephoto-cz.com/photos/birds/strix-aluco-96418.jpg
Linking questions

Mini inquiry:
1. What are the impacts of climate change at each
level of biological organization?

Discuss with the people beside you

Guiding questions revisited

Mini discussion:
● What are the drivers of climate change?

● What are the impacts of climate change on

ecosystems?
Discuss with the people beside you.
Assignment: Visible Thinking Routine

● Summarise what you have learned

about climate change by
completing the following question:
I used to think….
… but now I think……..