EVR 3013L Ecology of South Florida Lab Worksheet #7 : Climate Change

EVR 3013L Ecology of South Florida Lab Worksheet #7 : Climate Change Name ______ Panther Id_____ Introduction The activities this week involve looking at data concerning extreme weather events in the southern Everglades that had significant impacts on both wildlife and plant communities. In addition, we look at an assessment of Everglades restoration efforts. Information sources from the Web must be listed with your answers. Part I – Changing climate and environmental tolerances of species In the recorded lecture I showed you a chart from Jackson & Overpeck (Paleobiology, 26/4 supp, P294- 220, 2000). The current climate is represented by the gray horizontally shaded oval. A shift in climate to new conditions is shown by the gray vertically shaded oval. Each of the orange ovals A-F is a species. We see that each species can tolerate a certain range of temperatures (x-axis) and moisture (y-axis). Answer the following: 1. How is the new climate different from the original climate? The new climate is more dry and hotter. 2. Explain how the change in climate could affect the ability of species A-F to survive under the new conditions. A- will not be affected B- Will only slightly be affected C- Will be partially affected D- Will be drasticly affected but a few will survive E- Will thrive in the new climate F- Will die in the new climate 1 Wet Dry Cold Hot Wet Part II – Ocean water temperature variation and coral reefs Although South Florida is known for its warmth, wintertime cold fronts pass through the area. The winds change direction to the NW bringing cold air and winds that cool surface ocean waters as well. This graph compares water temperatures at the depths of coral reef in S. Florida (light blue) compared to the U.S. Virgin Islands (dark blue) from Jan 2004 to mid-2013. 1. Compare the water temperatures at the depths that coral reefs live for the U.S. Virgin Islands and South Florida. How do water temperatures vary over the year at each location? The temprature rises in the beginning and drops in the end of the year 2. I have drawn a red line at 30°C water temperature. What is the significance of that temperature for corals? What is the impact on the coral reef with each summer’s temperatures? 2 Coral needs warm water to survive but if it goes above 3