Younger Dryas: Effects on Biota


The changing temperature is a large factor when considering the growth and life of biota. With temperatures changing to more colder conditions, photosynthesis, respiration, digestion and growth are all affected and therefore are damaging to the biota.

With the onset of the colder period comes more rain and snow and eventually ice which all greatly affect the biota living in the area of these changes. Plants can be physically damaged by rain, soil may become logged and therefore anoxic and shutting of the growth of the plant. Animals are also affected by rain because their eggs can get damaged or transported away, larvae could also drown. Snow can start to reduce the availability of prey, and with the advancing ice things are simply plowed under.