What is one major way climate change affects plant species distribution?

Climate change has a significant impact on the distribution of plant species primarily by shifting suitable habitats, which can lead to declines in biodiversity. As global temperatures rise and precipitation patterns change, many plants may find their current habitats becoming less suitable for growth and reproduction.

This shift can result from various factors, such as increased heat stress, altered rainfall patterns, and the emergence of new pests and diseases that thrive in changing climates. Plants that are unable to migrate to new areas that have suitable conditions may face extinction, leading to a loss of biodiversity. Furthermore, these shifts mean that species may no longer coexist in the same environments, disrupting existing ecosystems and the services they provide.

This process highlights the challenges plants face adapting to rapid environmental changes and underscores the importance of conservation efforts to protect vulnerable species and their habitats in the face of climate change.