Effects such as reduced snowfall could seriously impact the ski industry, Easterling said. Because climate change can affect different regions in different ways, the geographical distribution of food production areas will likely change, potentially causing the disruption of rural communities. Ecosystems such as mountain meadows are vulnerable to climate change associated with global warming. Pictured is a meadow in the White River National Forest in Colorado. Extreme precipitation events are likely to become more frequent, yet some regions will get drier.
Ecosystems are highly vulnerable to the projected rate and magnitude of climate change.
A few, such as alpine meadows in the Rocky Mountains and some barrier islands, are likely to disappear entirely. Others, such as forests of the Southeast, are likely to experience major species shifts. Floods and water quality are concerns in many regions. Snowpack changes are especially important in the West, Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Falling prices and competitive pressures are likely to affect many farmers.