ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses some unique ecosystems and the effect that climate change is currently having, what will happen as temperatures continue to rise, and what the future looks like for the inhabitants of the areas. It focuses on the world's grasslands and prairies. The chapter also focuses on the earth's most fragile ecosystem—the polar areas. Changes to ecosystems are being felt worldwide as climates are beginning to shift—some more subtle than others. The chapter illustrates the effects climate change is having, and will have, on the earth's major ecosystems, what to expect as temperatures steadily climb, and why it is so crucial that this process humans have set in motion be halted now before any damage is done to the fragile ecosystems that will have no choices once series of events have been set in motion. Different forested areas will require different monitoring, planning, and protection strategies; it is imperative that humans understand the unique forest ecosystems and their value.
