A warming world alters the habitat and lifecycle of insects, such as the mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus. Changing patterns of precipitation, along with rising temperatures, will increase mosquito populations in some places, while decreasing them in others. New patterns of …
Deer ticks
Incidence of Lyme Disease, spread by the bite of the deer tick, has more than doubled since 1991, and some scientists think climate change has already helped the disease-carrying ticks thrive.
Baseball bat
The white ash trees of Pennsylvania, used to make baseball bats, are under attack from the Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive beetle. Trees stressed from frequent or especially harsh droughts are more vulnerable to the borer’s impacts. Climate change could fuel the …
Beetle
Bark beetles thrive when trees are stressed from drought, and they have caused widespread tree death recently, feeding on pine trees across the West. Climate change is likely to perpetuate the conditions on which these beetles thrive, harming our beloved backyards, parks, …
Bumble bees
Bumblebee populations are declining, and a warming climate may be a cause. Bumblebee populations have retreated 190 miles from their Southern extent since the 1970s, without a corresponding expansion north, leading to a curtailed range of this key pollinator.
Birds
Birds are experiencing dramatic population decreases, due to mis-timed migrations and insect availability.
Perennials
Woody northeastern perennials such as apple, grape, lilac, and honeysuckle have advanced their spring phenology from two to eight days since 1965. When trees bloom earlier, the pollinators are not in sync with the arrival of the flowers they need for food. …
Honey bees
Even as the honeybee faces pesticide-related colony collapse, climate change will further stress this economically important pollinator. Already scientists note changes in the timing of nectar flow, a key cue for bee pollination, and bee populations are declining. Honey production may suffer …
Cherry blossoms
Flowers are blooming earlier, including a week earlier on average, for Washington’s famous cherry blossoms.
Poison Ivy
Poison ivy will grow bigger and more irritating as the climate changes. Global climate change may soon make our planet a much itchier place and the vines may become more potent.
Pests
Gypsy moths, tent caterpillars and other pests will expand their territory throughout the country, damaging forests and gardens in their path.