Possible Effects on Species
There are four types of change in species’ traits that could occur due to global warming:

    Distribution
        Certain species are already moving to new locations to stay in their normal temperature range. As these
     animals begin to move north, they often invade ecosystems that they are not a part of.  They do not have        
     population limiting factors (such as predators) to keep them in check.  Without limitations, they out-compete
     native species for food and space.

    Changes in Phenology
        Species of both animals and plants are reacting to warmer temperatures by changes in phenology, or the
    timing of certain life processes such as blooming, breeding, and migration.

         The website Nature's Calendar also provides many interesting bits of information about phenology changes in
    the UK collected and reported by everyday people as well as recognized scientists.

Out of Sync
    Plant and animal species respond differently to the higher temperatures that they are experiencing.  Because of their different timing adjustments, many species that interact with each other are getting out of sync.

Effects of Higher Temperatures in General
    Temperatures affect phenology and range, but the higher temperatures themselves have some negative effects in general on certain species that are sensitive to such changes.

Animal Preserves
    Animal preserves are encountering the same problems the rest of the globe is having with warming temperatures. The climates of these preserves are changing and may eventually be unsuitable living conditions for the species that are protected by them.  Where will these animals go?

Relocation of People
    If the prediction in Gore’s book, An Inconvenient Truth, is correct, rising sea levels will force people out of their homes near coastlines.  When/if this happens, there will be less space for animals to migrate to, causing more survival problems for them.

Implications
    I've been thinking a lot about what this information means to me.  If this trend continues, many of the animals that we enjoy watching will leave our area for places that are closer their ideal habitats.  During the fall, I usually go deer hunting with my brother and cousin and this time seems to be sort of a bonding experience.  If the deer move from our area because it is no longer suitable, I will lose that time I have with both my family and nature.  Hopefully the deer will manage to adapt somehow and will not be one of the many species expected to die out because of all of these changes.  It seems that we take for granted the wildlife that we see everyday, like the birds and squirrels.  It's hard to imagine walking through campus without watching the squirrels dancing around looking for food.  I know it probably sounds unbelievable, but if the geese were to no longer nest here on campus, I think we would all miss them.  They really aren't that bad to watch when they aren't angry and hissing at you.