Severe weather events can create ecological disturbances, which can impact biodiversity. Think about a severe weather situation you have experienced near your home or have witnessed on the news. In 3–5 sentences, identify the severe weather event and explain how it created ecological disturbances that impacted biodiversity. Make sure your answer explains how biodiversity was impacted.(4 points)

1 answer

One severe weather event I witnessed was Hurricane Harvey in 2017, which brought catastrophic flooding to Southeast Texas. The extensive rainfall and resulting floods caused widespread destruction of habitats, particularly in wetlands and forests, leading to a loss of plant and animal life. Many species, including aquatic organisms and terrestrial wildlife, faced dire challenges, including displacement and decreased access to food. The disruption of these ecosystems further affected biodiversity, as some species struggled to recover while invasive species took advantage of the altered environment, leading to long-term changes in the local ecological balance.