Shifts in global and regional temperatures have altered the genetic diversity of animal populations, skewed predator-prey relationships, shifted the timing of breeding and spawning behaviour, affected the numbers and age structures of animal communities, and even begun to alter the size and coloration of plants, birds and insects…“Disruptions scale from the gene to the ecosystem, and have documented consequences for people, including unpredictable fisheries and crop yields, loss of genetic diversity in wild crop varieties, and increasing impacts of pests and diseases,” the scientists warn.

“Temperature extremes are causing evolutionary adaption in many species, changing them genetically and physically. These responses include changes in tolerances to high temperatures, shifts in sex ratios, reduced body size, and migration of species.Some people didn’t expect this level of change for decades.”

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