How does climate change affect local wildlife in coastal areas?

Climate change has significant and often detrimental effects on local wildlife in coastal areas, particularly through its impact on biodiversity. As temperatures rise, sea levels increase, and weather patterns become more unpredictable, many species struggle to adapt to these rapidly changing conditions. Coastal habitats, such as wetlands and estuaries, are particularly vulnerable, leading to habitat loss and fragmentation.

When ecosystems are disrupted, the delicate balance that supports a wide variety of species is affected, often resulting in decreased biodiversity. Some species may become endangered or extinct due to their inability to migrate or adapt to changing conditions, while others may proliferate, often leading to an imbalance within the ecosystem. This loss in biodiversity can have cascading effects throughout the food web and lead to decreased resilience of the ecosystem, making it more vulnerable to future climate impacts.

In contrast, the other options reflect misunderstandings of how climate change interacts with wildlife. Habitats becoming too stable is not a phenomenon observed; rather, they tend to become more unstable and unpredictable. Increased competition among species typically arises as habitats shrink or modify, not a decrease in competition. Additionally, climate change can disrupt food chains and reduce the availability of food for wildlife, countering any notion that food sources are increasing. Thus, decreased biodiversity most accurately encaps