*5.3.1 Habitat*

Climate change can cause habitat degradation or loss for several species (e.g., polar bears, koalas, and birds). Polar bears are dependent on sea ice. The increased temperature is causing the arctic sea ice to melt, damaging the polar bears' habitat (**Figure 10**) [23]. Koalas are dependent on eucalyptus tree. The increased temperature and drought are causing wildfire, destroying the koalas' habitat [24]. Lake Urmia (Iran) is a bird habitat and used to be a popular tourist destination. The lake is drying up mainly because of climate change.

**Figure 10.** *Climate change causes loss of habitat for polar bear.*

### *5.3.2 Nutrition*

Survival of species can be affected by water/food availability/quality beyond those that species can tolerate. Unpredictability/shortage of water and food caused by climate change may lead to greater prevalence of torpor and hibernation in small mammals and hypometabolism in large mammals.

Polar bears will have trouble finding food as the sea ice thins and melts earlier. With limited food supply, the polar bears rely on their stored fat. They have to swim longer distances in the water and many young cubs die because of their inability to swim. Koalas' main food source is eucalyptus leaves. Each koala eats

approximately 1 kg of eucalyptus leaves per day. Climate change reduces the amount of water in the eucalyptus tree. The increased carbon dioxide level causes decrease protein levels in the tree affecting plant nutritional quality. All these changes create dehydration, malnutrition, and starvation. Koalas are risking their lives by climbing down from their trees in search of water and food. This leaves them vulnerable to predators and the risk of being hit by cars. Koalas' population has declined by more than 30% over their last three generations (**Figure 11**) [24]. Elephants require 150–300 liters of water per day for drinking in addition to the amount needed for bathing and playing. Droughts can cause population decline (**Figure 12**) [25].

**Figure 11.** *Climate change is responsible for dehydration and malnutrition of koala.*

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**Figure 14.**

*Impact of Climate Change on Life*

(**Figure 14**).

**Figure 13.**

*Climate change promotes early avian migration.*

*Climate change leads to female sea turtle overpopulation and domination.*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94538*

*5.3.3 Migration, breeding, and gender determination*

Warmer springs have promoted advanced timing of migration and breeding in most avian species in the last decades (**Figure 13**) [26]. Rising sea levels threaten the sea turtle eggs as most turtles lay their eggs on beaches. Climate change can affect sex determination in several animals [27, 28]. The sex of the sea turtles is determined by the nest temperatures. Cool temperatures produce more males while warm temperatures produce more females. Climate change alters the sea turtles' gender population (females outnumbering males). Certain areas could end up producing only female turtles, with the possibility of local species extinction since there will be no mating partners for female turtles

**Figure 12.** *Climate change causes decline in elephant population.*

#### *Impact of Climate Change on Life DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94538*

*Environmental Issues and Sustainable Development*

(**Figure 12**) [25].

**Figure 11.**

*Climate change is responsible for dehydration and malnutrition of koala.*

approximately 1 kg of eucalyptus leaves per day. Climate change reduces the amount of water in the eucalyptus tree. The increased carbon dioxide level causes decrease protein levels in the tree affecting plant nutritional quality. All these changes create dehydration, malnutrition, and starvation. Koalas are risking their lives by climbing down from their trees in search of water and food. This leaves them vulnerable to predators and the risk of being hit by cars. Koalas' population has declined by more than 30% over their last three generations (**Figure 11**) [24]. Elephants require 150–300 liters of water per day for drinking in addition to the amount needed for bathing and playing. Droughts can cause population decline

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**Figure 12.**

*Climate change causes decline in elephant population.*
