Question

I want you to find a case of one animal species and one plant species that are positively affected by the current level of warming. you must list the common name and scientific name of each organism. Do a short description of its biology and its habitat and niche. Then explain how the organism has been or is being helped by global warming.

can u plz include URL being used!

Answer 1

Answer:
There are few insects that are positively affected by the current level of warming.

1) Bark beetle (Scientific name: Scolytinae) and Mountain Pine beetle (Scientific name: Dendroctonus ponderosae)

• Biology, habitat and niche:
  • Bark beetles are small in size, cylindrical in shape, have short legs and antennae with most species being dark brown, black or red in color.
  • Bark beetles are found in all regions of the world.
  • Bark beetles feed on bark and wood especially the inner portion of bark called as phloem and breed in branches, twigs or roots, spruces. (Bark beetles create mazes in tree and live in dead phloem)
  • Effect of global warming: Increase in temperature had positively affected bark beetles leading to their population outbreaks in susceptible forests.
  • Due to stress related to global warming, trees are not able to produce defensive natural chemicals making them susceptible to bark bettle infestation.
  • Moreover, the beetles fly range has extended due to longer duration of warm temperature contributing to its population boom.

2) Amongst plants, the species that is benefited by current levels of warming is Poison ivy (Scientific name: Toxicodendron radicans). This plant is responding positively to growing CO2 levels in global warming.

• Poison ivy is a low sprawling shrub and can reach up to 20 cm height
• Grows and survive well in most of the habitats and is an obnoxious weed
• This plants grows throughout North America, China, Russia,Japan but doesnot grow in desert, arid areas.
• It consists of alternative compound leaves with seasonal color changes in leaf color
• Effect of Global Warming: The increase in the levels of Carbon dioxide has promoted the growth of poison ivy leading to the growth of bigger and more poisonous poison ivy plants (due to increase in urushiol - allergen) .

Reference:

• Natural history and Ecology of bark bettles, kenneth F. Raffa etal, Chapter 1
• https://www.fs.usda.gov/ccrc/topics/bark-beetles-and-climate-change-united-states
• http://www.climatecentral.org/news/why-bark-beetles-are-chewing-their-way-through-americas-forests-15429
• http://www.climatecentral.org/gallery/graphics/global-warming-and-poison-ivy