Impact of Environmental Change (AQA GCSE Biology): Revision Notes

7.2.6 Impact of Environmental Change

Environmental changes can significantly alter the distribution of species within an ecosystem:

• Temperature: Climate change can cause species, like insects, to migrate to warmer regions.
• Water Availability: Species may relocate to areas with sufficient water supply during droughts or changes in rainfall patterns.
• Atmospheric Gas Composition: Pollutants, such as sulphur dioxide, can limit the growth of sensitive species like lichen. These changes can be seasonal, geographic, or a result of human activities.

Biodiversity and Human Impact on Ecosystems

Environmental changes, particularly those driven by human activities, can reduce biodiversity and disrupt ecosystem balance.