Impact of Climate Change Flashcards

Question

How will climate affect invasive species?

Answer 1

become invasive when they are introduced to ecosystems where they are not native and where there are no predators or diseases which limit their spread or where they have an unfair advantage over local flora climate warms see more plant species that so far have been 'tame' garden and landscape plants become problematic. EX: Cortaderia selloana (Pampass grass) and Acacia dealbata both spread so extensively that they can suppress native species over large areas and form impenetrable vegetation. Eucalyptus globulus devastating fire potential as well as being an aggressive seeder

Answer 2

impact different species differently. If key species are negatively impacted by stress, their productivity will fall, and therefore their contribution to the energy balance of the entire system We depend on natural and semi-natural ecosystems for many different things: food (as in grazing for livestock), and 'environmental services): production of oxygen, clearing the air of pollutants, managing the flow of water, etc. Natural ecosystems also make up much of the environment that we enjoy as 'nature' and for recreation. Increased fire risk from drought massive probs for ecosystems. Affects humanity, buildings, wildlife and healthy ecosystem and survival of species.

Answer 3

Mimosa, Acacia dealbata, is a serious long-term threat in Britain, It almost totally annihilates other vegetation.

Answer 4

burnt landscapes have a greatly reduced range of species and one skewed towards the inflammable, such as broom species, Genista and Cytisus spp. Some species, deciduous hardwoods especially, are relatively fire-proof; others are practically explosive, such as Eucalyptus spp, and restios. short-lived species like yellow-flowered broom (Cytisus sp.), which burn readily but then regenerate rapidly from seed. Major invasive issues.

Answer 5

1. Agricultural clearing releases high volume of C02. 2. Methane from cows produces greehouse gas. 3. as organic matter levels decline, so does soil fertility. 4. , as organic matter levels decline, so does soil fertility.

Answer 6

Global surface temps is projected to continue to rise. Rate of increase dependent on extent to which C02 and other emissions are restricted. Yearly variability in rainfall. Increase in dry spells (most pronounced in So. UK) and esp. over summer months. Frequency of wet days increase over winter, most pronounced in Northern. UK. Gardens close to coast or near estuaries may experience more flooding due to tidal surges. Gardens located upstream will experience an increase in flooding due to more intense and frequent fluvial flooding events. It is theoretical that in the future, much of the UK could be frost free in some years.

Answer 7

Jo Wakelin garden and Filippi tends to rely on low growing sub =-shrubs. Adv: evergreen and look good in winter. DisAdv: Flowering season may be short.

Answer 8

1. Look to plants from regions that have experienced extremes: Central Asia. 2. Look at prevenance: where does the plant material we have in cultivation come from? 3. Species with wide ranges will very often have genetically distinct populations, with diff. environmental tolerances. NOT cultivar.

Answer 9

Although frosts may be less prevalent, many borderline hardy plants on heavier soils may die in wet winters. The aim of planting in future may be to have a backbone of ‘resilient’ shrubs which can survive wetter winters and still cope with dry periods in summer. Mediterranean climate plants such as Lavandula, Cistus and Ceanothus species, which can tolerate high temperatures and long periods of drought. However many of these are naturally short-lived and some are highly flammable.

Answer 10

strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), evergreen, attractive, drought-tolerant, not particularly flammable and capable of rapid regeneration from the base if damaged or burnt.

Answer 11

cope with torrential rain. Slopes may need to be terraced for soil retention and the reduction of soil erosion. Swales and rain gardens will need to be integratedinto landscapes.

Answer 12

The trend to smaller and more compact forms of tree - or tree-like shrubs such as standard Photinia x fraseri and Elaeagnus x submacrophylla, which suit the scale of smaller domestic gardens - can only increase Lg shrubs with good wind resistance: Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Robin Hill‘ and Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’ can be used for garden impact in place of larger trees.

Answer 13

heavy rain will increase the likelihood of flooding from hard landscaped areas, so planting up rain gardens and swales with plants which can tolerate both waterlogging and dry conditions will be helpful. Plants recommended for this will be tough like Iris pseudacorus and Cornus sanguinea and Sambucus nigra cultivars. Woody plants help manage water: roots take up a large volume of water from the soil, and their canopies intercepts heavy rainstorms allowing the water to filter through the leaves gradually rather than run off from a hard surface. In cities plantings of robust street trees such as Ginkgo biloba and Zelkova serrata help to manage runoff - small leaves are more effective at the interception of rainfall. Green roofs with a good depth of substrate (10cms min.) will help to mitigate the impact of periods of heavy rainfall in urban areas.

Answer 14

some insect or bird species have evolved to use specific species as a source of food at one stage in their lives. flowers that produce pollen at the period at which the hive begins to be active, so if the flowering period starts earlier, this may initially look positive for the bee (more food) but there may be less later on in the season. birds may depend on a plentiful supply of caterpillars to feed its young but if the trees come into leaf earlier, the breeding cycle of the bird and caterpillar supply may no longer be synchronized.

Answer 15

Use of bedding plants in decline. Removal of lawns or accept green in witner/brown summer. Drought tolerant grass varieties can help, somewhat. Historic gardens may need to adapt original plantings which can no longer be maintained at the high standard for more drought tolerant species. Trending already from tradtitional HER Borders to naturalistic perennial plantings.

Answer 16

Leaf adaptations: Hairs, spikes, glauca and smaller leaves. Root adaptations: storage of water

Answer 17

a. DROUGHT: Less water will mean less photosynthesis and transpiration. Additionally, If a plant becomes stressed from lack of water it makes it more susceptible to pests and disease. Drought, over time, will force the species to adapt to changes through adaptations to leaves such as hairy leaves, smaller leaves, leaf colour changes to more gray. These adaptations will allow the plant to survive with less water. Examples of plants that have adapted to drought include Lavandula angustifolia. This plant has small grey/blue leaves that are slightly hairy and is well adapted to the Mediterranean climate. (OVER LONG PERIOD OF TIME SO NOT PERTINENT) Noel b. WATERLOGGING: As the winters may receive more torrential storms there will be more flooding and runoff. If the excess water remains in the soil for more than a few days the oxygen will deplete causing anaerobic conditions. As there is no oxygen in the soil, the roots will become soft and squishy, the soil will smell and the leaves will die. Plants will need to adapt to waterlogging conditions, such as some of the marginal plants Iris pseudacorus. c. HIGH HUMIDITY: As the air becomes more humid it will be harder for plants to transpire as the relative humidity will be too high for the plant to react. High humidity will slow the growth of the plant. High humidity will also encourage fungal diseases such as downy mildew which will make the leaves to distort and fall off – again reducing the possibility of photosynthesis and transpiration. Vegetables such as Cucumis sativus are affected by downy mildew and may have a reduced crop yield. d. FIRE: The warmer the temperatures the more chances of wildfires. Wildfires destroy the ecosystem and may provide a perfect haven for invasive plants to take over like Cytisus scoparius or Eucalyptus globulus which easily reseeds. e. PESTS AND DISEASES: As the area becomes warmer, pests and diseases will spread into the originally cooler areas. As their numbers increase they will reproduce more quickly throughout the year. Plants will be stressed and die due to pests/disease. MODEL: Increased heat will damage some plants or make it difficult for them to grow. Fire will be an increased risk in summer. There will be different pests and diseases affecting garden plants.

Answer 18

Resilience is the definition of a plant that can survive the extremes of weather patterns each year. MODEL: Resilience refers to the ability of a plant to survive extremes: heat, cold, drought, and to survive from year to year.

Answer 19

By knowing the provenance of a plant, you can understand the natural conditions it has grown in and see how it has adapted to that climate. Plants that are native to the Mediterranean will survive well in drought-like conditions. Plants that grow in alpine regions will do well with extreme weather patterns as well. A good area to review would be Central Asia as that area suffers from extreme cold to drought. MODEL: Knowing that a plant comes from a region with a climate zone which experiences extremes of temperature would be very useful. On the contrary, being aware of species which come from places that do not generally get extremes should perhaps warn us about too reliant on them in gardens.

Answer 20

a. Solanum tuberosum (potatoes): Waterlogging of the soil will rot the stem tubers and reduce the yield. IF a frost comes late, the plants may be damaged. b. Latuca sativa (lettuce): The intense heat and sun will cause the plant to bolt and eventually the leaves will turn brown and fall. Watering will be necessary and kept in a protected area. c. Cucumis sativus: (Cucumber): High humidity will cause downy mildew on the leaves and reduce the opportunity for photosynthesis and transpire, therefore reducing crop yield. d. All spring vegetables could be planted earlier, with the caveat to be aware of a possible late frost. MODEL: Potatoes – it may be possible to start growing them earlier in the year, although they may be more likely to be hit by frost; heat and drought will bring forward the dates when they might need irrigation. Cabbages – they will be more likely to be able to kept in active growth in the winter, but will be more likely to need summer irrigation. Carrots – autumn sowing might begin to make sense if the winter is mild enough for them to grow for several months. However in the spring they will bolt, so they will have to be harvested before this

Answer 21

a. Phenology is the study of the periods when plants grow and bloom throughout the year. b. The phenology of garden plants will change with the climate. As it gets warmer earlier in the year, or possibly reduced number of frost days, plants will bloom earlier. With respect to the Malus spp. they need a certain amount of chill hours, if they don’t get it they won’t bloom. With respect to flowers, the temperatures may increase allowing the flowers to bloom earlier. c. Plants and pollinators have adapted to the optimum time for growing and hatching. If the plants bloom earlier than the pollinators hatch, it could prove to be devastating to the life cycle of the pollinator. MODEL: Phenology is the description and study of when plants grow and develop through the year – the date of leaf opening, flowering, end of year die-back, etc. With a warmer climate, many species will come into leaf and flower earlier. This may mean that they get out of step with pollinators. It may also mean that they are more at risk from late frosts.

Answer 22

a. Plant more trees – especially those that can adapt to climate change. Trees have extensive root systems and therefore able to take up large volumes of water in rainstorms, offer shade in the summer and cool the environment through transpiration as well as sequester vast amounts of C02. Suggestions would be Quercus agrifolia (Coast Live Oak) as it is an evergreen, drought and wind tolerant and a ‘fire-safe’ tree. This tree will provide shade, screening, will sequester carbon, and survive wind, drought, water logging and fire. Or possibly the Arbutus unedo (Strawberry tree) as it is drought tolerant and can regenerate quickly if damaged by fire. b. Remove the lawn: Either plant a meadow or possibly use some of the drought tolerant lawns. Perhaps use ground cover instead, such as Dymondia or Kurapia. Both of these are drought tolerant and evergreen and offer a small amount of carbon sequestration – better than hardscaping! c. Plant annuals earlier: As the temperatures are warmer earlier, it would be advisable to get annuals in sooner. HOWEVER, it may be better to encourage the staff to use perennials rather than annuals as they are less maintenance, require less water, sequester carbon better and can store nutrients and water in the soil without any further disturbance of the soil (which releases C02 and upsets the microorganisms). d. Consider reviewing plants: Based on the site location, try to find plants that are already adapted to that future climate of the site. Perhaps look to Central Asia or the Mediterranean for ideas of what will survive. Plants that are sub-shrubs like Lavandula angustifolia or Cistus landanifer are drought tolerant, good for pollinators and can withstand wind. Replace trees and plants that will become difficult to maintain sustainably. e. Consider a rain garden addition: Incorporate a rain garden in the area where water traditionally pools in the rainy season. Including marginal plants such as Iris pseudacorus or Fagus sylvatica will help to hold the water in the soil. f. Do not leave bare soil: Be sure to either mulch or fill in blank areas with small plants. The more plants, the more photosynthesis and carbon sequestration. g. Avoid heavy water requirements: Any plant that needs a lot of water to survive should be removed as this is not sustainable. Replace with drought tolerant grasses or plants such as Nassella tenuissima. h. Be aware of plants that may become invasive: Try to avoid grasses such as Cortaderia selloana or possibly Cytisus scoparius as it may likely become an invasive plant in Britain as the temperature warms. Use plants that do not reseed as quickly. MODEL: Firstly I would worry about trees, species like birches (Betula spp.) that do best in cool climates. They may need to be replaced with more heat-tolerant species. How much open space is there? Warmer summers will mean that both plants and people will want more shade; there will be a need to plant more heatresistant shade-giving trees, like planes (Platanus species). Borders with thirstier perennials, often recognised by having large, lush, soft leaves, may have to change. These species may have to be replaced by more drought tolerant perennials or sub-shrubs. How vulnerable to fire are the plants? Recognising species that are fire-prone will be important, and limiting their use. Plenty of deciduous trees will help reduce fire risk. Drier summers may mean reduced flowering at this time. If we want to avoid using irrigation as much as possible, we will have to re-think traditional flower-heavy bedding schemes, considering perennials and shrubs with attractive foliage instead, or which are more likely to flower in dry conditions.

Impact of Climate Change Flashcards

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