According to the EPA "Changing the climate threatens ecosystems by disrupting relationships between species. Wildflowers and woody perennials are blooming—and migratory birds are arriving—sooner in spring. Not all species adjust in the same way, however, so the food that one species needs may no longer be available when that species arrives on its migration. Warmer temperatures allow deer populations to increase, leading to a loss of forest underbrush, which makes some animals more vulnerable to predators. Climate change can allow invasive species to expand their ranges. For example, the
hemlock woolly adelgid has recently infested hemlock trees near the coast in southern Maine. Infestation eventually kills almost all hemlock trees, which are replaced by black oaks, black birch, and other hardwoods. Warmer temperatures are likely to enable the woolly adelgid to expand inland and up the coast. The loss of hemlock trees would remove the primary habitat for the
blue-headed vireo and
Blackburnian warbler. It could also cause streams to run dry or become excessively warm more often, harming brook trout and brown trout".
Harmful Algal Blooms in the Gulf of Maine A
harmful algal bloom (HAB) occurs when toxin-producing algae grow excessively in a body of water. One of the most potent and commonly found genus of algae which contribute to harmful algal blooms is
Pseudo-nitzschia. Many species within
Pseudo-nitzschia produce domoic acid, a neurotoxin that bioaccumulates in shellfish, causing illness in humans and marine animals upon ingestion. HABs occur when conditions in the water are hyper-conducive for algae growth and the amount of algae, in most cases
Pseudo-nitzschia, grows exponentially. In the
Gulf of Maine, the occurrence of HABs have increased with many associating it with climate change. HABs have forced the closure of some New England shellfish beds to harvesting in recent years, causing a lapse in the region's clam, mussel and oyster supplies. Outbreaks in 2005 and 2008 were particularly harmful, resulting in extended closures. The effects of climate change are diverse and broad, many of which contribute to increased HAB presence. Higher levels of carbon dioxide in the air and water can lead to rapid growth of algae. Increased sea levels would create more shallow and stable coastal water, conditions that are perfect for the growth of algae. Harmful algae usually bloom during the warm summer season or when water temperatures are warmer than usual. Warmer water due to climate change might favor the bloom of harmful algae like
Pseudo-nitzschia. In 2023, scientists were tracking an unusually large bloom of non-toxic phytoplankton,
Tripos muelleri, that covered one-third of the 36,000-square-mile Gulf of Maine.
Fall foliage Overall, 20% to 25% of Maine tourists come to the state to see the colorful displays of
fall foliage in the Maine woods. Drought during the summer months and warmer temperature rates in the fall have affected when the leaves change color. Warmer temperatures have been delaying the start of the fall foliage change. Scientist Stephanie Spera has measured that the peak fall foliage date for Maine is now roughly 10 days later than it was in the 1950s.
Landlocked Arctic char Maine has the southern most population of
Arctic char, which was landlocked in deep, cold ponds after the glaciers retreated. The fish is rare and has adapted to different aquatic environments in Maine in different ways. Scientists who have studied the fish for 20 years report an increase in bird injuries among the fish.
Moose Winter tick infestations of moose have risen due to the warming climate. Hunters and biologists often find adult moose with 40,000-90,000 ticks attached. In the 2021-2022 winter season, 86% of moose calves monitored in Piscataquis and Somerset Counties by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife died from winter tick infestations. == Agriculture ==