Alaska’s coast, forests, mountains and tundra are home to many wild plants and animals. It’s not clear how warmer temperatures will affect wildlife, but scientists say that there are certain to be changes. Warmer conditions will change animal habitats. As their habitats change, some animals may not be able to adapt and could die out.

For example, the warming of lakes and rivers could affect salmon and other fish. Early pack-ice breakup hurts polar bears, which hunt for seals on the ice. And warmer temperatures will likely change the kinds of plants that grow in many parts of the state. That could reduce the food supply for caribou and other plant eaters. Forests cover about one third of Alaska. Scientists say that some trees, especially spruce trees that grow along the southern coasts, might be expected to thrive in warmer temperature. But warming has also brought new threats to the forests.