Riwieria Olimpijska, znana z jej niepowtarzalnych krajobrazów, bogatej flory i fauny oraz wyjątkowych ekosystemów, stoi w obliczu znaczących wyzwań wynikających ze zmian klimatycznych. Niniejszy artykuł ma na celu przedstawienie kluczowych kwestii związanych z wpływem zmian klimatycznych na ekosystemy Riwierii Olimpijskiej, oferując jednocześnie wgląd w metodologię badawczą, która pozwoliła na dojście do prezentowanych wniosków.
The Olympic Riviera, known for its unique landscapes, rich flora and fauna and unique ecosystems, faces significant challenges due to climate change. This article aims to present key issues related to the impact of climate change on the ecosystems of the Olympic Riviera, while offering insight into the research methodology that allowed for reaching the presented conclusions.
1. Temperature rise: Rising average temperatures lead to changes in ecosystems, such as shifts in plant and animal zones, which threaten local biodiversity. the average global temperature was about 1.15°C above the average for 1850-1900. However, the authors of the WMO report predict that the average annual global temperature at the Earth’s surface for each year in 2023-2027 will be 1.1°C to 1.8°C higher than the average in 1850-1900.
2. Changes in rainfall: Changes in the distribution and amount of rainfall are affecting the ecosystems of the Olympic Riviera, particularly rainforests and associated species, introducing the risk of long-term droughts or floods.
3. Sea level rise: Resulting in coastal erosion and threatening coastal areas, including marine and terrestrial habitats. Global mean sea level (GMSL) has risen by 21 cm since 1900, at an accelerating rate. GMSL reached its highest value ever in 2020.
4. Ocean acidification: It negatively affects marine ecosystems, including fish and shellfish populations, which has far-reaching consequences for food chains and the region’s economy. On average, seawater is 30% more acidic than it was 250 years ago. And while this change in chemistry — known as ocean acidification — may be invisible, its effects are not. As increased carbon dioxide emissions dissolve in the ocean, its chemical composition changes, acidifying seawater.
5. Changes in the distribution and behavior of species: Many species adapt to changing climatic conditions by changing their ranges, which may lead to competition between species and the disappearance of some endemic species.
– Ecosystem: A community of living organisms and their physical environment that interact with each other. There are two types of ecosystems: natural and artificial. Natural ecosystems were created without human intervention. These include, for example, forests, coral reefs, and lakes. Artificial ecosystems have been created by humans, for example: orchards, fields.
– Olympic Riviera: The most visited tourist region in Greece is the Olympic Riviera, the Aegean coast of southern Macedonia stretching south from Thessaloniki. The range of the highest Greek mountain – Olympus, retains cold air masses, thanks to which sunny weather is certain here, as are crowds of tourists.
Methodology
To identify and analyze the impact of climate change on the ecosystems of the Olympic Riviera, a combination of research methods was used, including:
– Climate data analysis: Using historical meteorological data and climate forecasts to understand climate change trends in the region.
– Field observations: Direct observations of changes in ecosystems, such as changes in vegetation cover, animal behavior and habitat health.
– Impact analysis: Assess how these changes affect biodiversity, ecosystems and human communities in the region.
– How to read data from the Climatogram?
Bars (usually blue) present average monthly rainfall totals in mm – their values are read on the right side of the graph. The line (broken or continuous, usually red) shows the average air temperature of individual months expressed in °C.