![]() Snowshoe hares are critical players in forest ecosystems. ![]() This increased vulnerability might cause declines in hare populations that could lead to implications for other species. With climate change, snow in some areas is melting earlier than the hares have grown accustomed to, leaving stark white hares exposed in snow-less landscapes. To help hide from predators, this North American rabbit has evolved to turn white in winter to blend in with the snow. So while salmon might currently be on the menu, climate change is expected to impact major commercial and recreational fishing industries in the coming years. Higher temperatures have also led a harmful salmon parasite to invade Alaska’s Yukon River. ![]() Changing stream flows and warming waters in the Pacific Northwest are already impacting some salmon species and populations. Salmon require cold, fast-flowing streams and rivers to spawn. Tens of thousands of these parasites can gather on a single moose to feed on its blood - weakening the animal’s immune system and often ending in death, especially the calves. That’s because milder winters and less snow can lead to higher numbers of winter ticks. Rising temperatures and booming parasite populations are expected to cause this cold-weather species that calls the northern United States and Canada home to move farther north. Future generations shouldn’t just see these animals in history books - we owe it to them to protect these creatures and their habitats. If we don’t act on climate now, this list is just the tip of the iceberg of what we can expect in years to come. Here are 9 species that are already being affected by climate change. These changes are not only having a dramatic impact on diverse ecosystems but also on the wildlife that call these places home. We are already seeing its effects with rising seas, catastrophic wildfires and water shortages. Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time.
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