Nature at risk
Climate change has emerged as the single greatest threat to Australia's biodiversity.
Species
Scientists predict that under a 2°C global temperature rise about 25% of the Earth's animals and plants will disappear, a 3°C rise would see 35% disappear.
In Australia, at least 90 species are considered at risk.
Nest temperatures of 25-32°C are necessary for the successful incubation of the green turtle. If the sand gets too warm only females are born.
Snow cover in the mountain pygmy possum's alpine habitat acts as a winter blanket. Projected warming could leave it exposed to feral animals.
Frogs need water to breed and any rainfall changes could reduce their ability to reproduce. Higher temperatures dry out pools, killing adult frogs, tadpoles and eggs.
In hot weather flying fox and bat colonies move deeper into the forest for protection. Rising temperatures could see them stranded, by the heat and habitat loss.
Within 20 years many eucalypt species on which koalas depend could be threatened by extreme temperatures and changing rainfall. More frequent and intense bushfires could also be disastrous.
A report recently released by WWF showed that birds are already changing their behaviour in response to climate change. Up to three-quarters of bird species in the Wet Tropics could become extinct.
Ecosystems
Global warming stresses ecosystems through temperature rises, water shortages, increased fire threats, weed and pest invasions, intense storm damage and salt invasion, just to name a few. Some of Australia's great natural icons are threatened.
Reefs
Scientists predict that a 2°C temperature rise will result in 97% of the Great Barrier Reef being bleached.
Higher summer water temperatures are the main cause of bleaching.
Australian Alps
The Australian Alps are considered one of our three most vulnerable ecosystems under potential climatic warming.
Snow depth in the Australian Alps has reduced by 30-40% since the 1950s and resulting feral mammal intrusions have been detrimental to native species.
Kakadu and the Northern Territory
By 2030 average warming over the Northern Territory will be about 0.2-2.2°C relative to 1990 causing most of the NT to become drier.
An increase in more intense cyclones and sea levels is likely to devastate Kakadu's low-lying freshwater ecosystems.
