How Does Climate Change Affect Global Biodiversity? – Practice IELTS Reading Passage

The Reading section of the IELTS exam tests your ability to understand and interpret written English in an academic context. A popular topic, often revisited in IELTS exams, is “How does climate change affect global biodiversity?” Given the increasing concern and frequency of environmental issues, it is highly probable that similar topics will appear in future exams.

IELTS Reading Passage on Climate Change and Global Biodiversity

Below is a practice reading passage to help you familiarize yourself with this topic, adhering to the IELTS format.

Reading Passage

Climate Change’s Impact on Global Biodiversity

Climate change, an ongoing alteration in weather patterns, significantly impacts global biodiversity. Biodiversity encompasses the variety of life on Earth, including variations within species, between species, and of ecosystems. Scientists are increasingly worried about how climate change might disrupt these natural systems and threaten the life forms that inhabit them.

One primary way climate change affects biodiversity is through habitat loss. As temperatures rise, many species find their habitats no longer suitable. Polar bears, for instance, are losing their ice habitats due to the melting ice caps. The phenomenon forces these species to migrate to cooler areas, which may not always be available or ideal for their survival. Consequently, displaced species might not find the necessary resources to sustain their populations.

Additionally, climate change influences the timing of biological events, like flowering or migration, causing mismatches in ecological relationships. For example, plants may bloom earlier due to warmer temperatures, but pollinators, such as bees, might not adjust their life cycles accordingly, leading to reduced pollination success. Disrupted food chains and ecological interactions can lead to population declines and even extinctions.

Furthermore, climate change affects oceanic biodiversity through ocean acidification, a result of increased carbon dioxide absorption by seawater. This acidification threatens marine life, particularly organisms with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons, such as corals and some plankton species, undermining entire marine ecosystems.

Coral Bleaching

A striking case study is the Australian Great Barrier Reef, which experienced severe coral bleaching events due to rising sea temperatures. As corals die, the diversity of marine life supported by coral reefs diminishes, severely affecting species dependent on these ecosystems.

In conclusion, the impacts of climate change on global biodiversity are profound and multifaceted, influencing habitats, ecological relationships, and marine environments. These changes pose significant risks to the sustainability of many species and underscore the urgent need for comprehensive climate action.

Sample IELTS Reading Questions

Based on the passage above, answer the following questions.

Questions 1-3: Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an effect of climate change on biodiversity?

   • A. Habitat loss
   • B. Changes in biological event timing
   • C. Increased human activities
   • D. Ocean acidification

2. What happens to species when their habitats become unsuitable due to temperature rise?

   • A. They adapt immediately to the new conditions.
   • B. They migrate to similar habitats if available.
   • C. They increase their populations.
   • D. They stop reproducing.

3. Why are coral reefs particularly vulnerable to climate change?

   • A. Because they are found only in warm waters.
   • B. Due to their dependence on stable temperatures.
   • C. Because they cannot grow in acidic conditions.
   • D. Due to their importance to marine species.

Questions 4-7: Identifying Information (True/False/Not Given)

4. Scientists believe that climate change has minimal impact on polar bears.
   True / False / Not Given

5. Pollinators like bees can always adjust their life cycles to changes in plant blooming times.
   True / False / Not Given

6. Ocean acidification primarily affects terrestrial species.
   True / False / Not Given

7. The Great Barrier Reef has shown resilience against coral bleaching.
   True / False / Not Given

Questions 8-10: Sentence Completion

Complete the following sentences with NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage.

8. Biodiversity includes variations within species __.
9. The absorption of __ by seawater leads to ocean acidification.
10. Coral bleaching severely impacts __ associated with coral reefs.

Answer Keys

1. C. Increased human activities — This is not mentioned in the passage.
2. B. They migrate to similar habitats if available — The passage states that species migrate to cooler areas.
3. D. Due to their importance to marine species — The passage explains this vulnerability connected to declining marine life.
4. False — The passage indicates significant impacts on polar bears.
5. False — The passage notes mismatches might lead to reduced pollination and not all pollinators can adjust.
6. False — Ocean acidification affects marine organisms, not terrestrial species.
7. False — The passage states the Great Barrier Reef experienced severe bleaching, not resilience.
8. between species — Part of the definition of biodiversity given in the passage.
9. carbon dioxide — Mentioned as a cause of ocean acidification.
10. marine life — The passage discusses the impact on marine life supported by coral reefs.

Common Errors and Tips

• Skimming & Scanning: Many test-takers fail to quickly identify key information. Practice these techniques to save time.
• Identifying Keywords: Focus on keywords in the question and locate them in the passage for accurate answers.
• Understanding Question Types: Familiarize yourself with types such as True/False/Not Given to respond accurately.
• Time Management: Allocate time wisely, leaving harder questions for last.

Vocabulary for “Climate Change’s Impact on Global Biodiversity”

• Biodiversity (n): [ˌbaɪoʊdaɪˈvɜːrsɪti] – The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
• Habitat loss (n): – The destruction, alteration, or fragmentation of habitats, resulting in adverse effects on species.
• Pollination (n): [ˌpɒlɪˈneɪʃən] – The process by which pollen is transferred to the female reproductive organs of a plant.
• Acidification (n): [əˌsɪdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən] – The process of becoming acidic or being converted to an acid.

Grammatical Structures to Note

Conditional Sentences (Type 1 and 2)

Type 1: If present simple, then will + base verb.

• Example: If temperatures rise, species will migrate.

Type 2: If past simple, then would + base verb.

• Example: If species found suitable habitats, they would survive better.

Incorporate these structures for more advanced writing.

Final Tips for a High Reading Score

• Read Regularly: Expand your reading beyond IELTS materials to articles, journals, and reports.
• Practice Under Exam Conditions: Time your practice sessions to build endurance.
• Review Common Topics: Environmental issues frequently appear in the IELTS exam.

Remember that persistent practice and familiarization with various topics are key to excelling in the IELTS Reading section.