How will these changes affect the plants and animals that live in and around the Great Lakes region?
Temperature and precipitation patterns are really important components of what makes a place habitable for a given species. From a human perspective, a change of a few degrees might seem really minor, but most animals survive and reproduce best in locations with favorable climates. Animals and plants are already responding both in the Great Lakes and around the world by moving to cooler areas, either up in altitude or toward the poles. Most species are expected to move north since the Great Lakes region is pretty flat, but there are a lot of barriers in their way. For example, there are the Great Lakes themselves – how are species in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula going to move with those big lakes blocking their way? For fish and other aquatic species, some may be able shift into deeper waters or move north, but many cold-water species like brook trout, lake trout, and whitefish are expected to decline dramatically.
