What ecological effect can result from increased temperatures?

Increased temperatures can lead to less natural snowfall due to the alteration of weather patterns. As the climate warms, precipitation that might have fallen as snow at lower temperatures can instead fall as rain. This shift can reduce the overall snowpack, impacting ecosystems that rely on seasonal snow cover for water during spring melt. Reduced snowfall can also lead to earlier runoff, affecting water supply for various flora and fauna that depend on consistent water availability throughout the warmer months.

Furthermore, less snow affects the albedo effect, where snow reflects sunlight, and its reduction can contribute to further warming, creating a feedback loop that exacerbates the initial issue. Snow also plays a crucial role in insulating the ground and ecosystems below, so decreased snowfall can disrupt habitats and species that are adapted to seasonal snow. Overall, the ecological consequences of warming temperatures, reflected in the reduction of natural snowfall, encompass a range of impacts on water resources, biodiversity, and ecosystem health.