Some of the world's greatest natural wonders face destruction if the climate continues to warm at the current rate, a WWF study has warned.

Its report, Saving the World's Natural Wonders from Climate Change, describes how the devastating impacts of global warming are damaging the world's ten greatest natural wonders.

The WWF report also explains the work being undertaken in each of the ten regions to build defenses against the damaging impacts of climate change.

"While we continue to pressure governments to make meaningful cuts in heat trapping greenhouse gas emissions, we are also working on adaptation strategies to offer protection to some of the world's natural wonders as well as the livelihoods of the people who live there," said Dr Lara Hansen, chief scientist of WWF's Global Climate Change Programme.

"We are trying to buy people and nature time, as actions to stop the root cause of climate change are taken."

Dr Lara Hansen, WWF: "From turtles to tigers - from the desert of Chihuahua to the great Amazon - all these wonders of nature are at risk from warming temperatures."

According to the report, Australia's Great Barrier Reef is threatened by warming waters causing coral bleaching, while China's Yangtse River is facing water shortages as glaciers continue to retreat.

In response to the crisis facing the Yangtse River, the WWF is assessing the situation and setting up pilot projects which will show government and local communities how best to adapt to climate change impacts.

Meanwhile, increased incidence of forest fires could spell the end of one of the world's greatest forests, the WWF said.

The Valdivian forests in Chile and Argentina, which are home to trees up to 3,000 years old, could be destroyed if global warming in not addressed.

The WWF and local partners are fighting for conservation area protection status for all areas of resistant forests.

South America's Amazon rainforest, the Chihuahua Desert in Mexico and the glaciers in the Himalayas are also under threat from climate change, the report warned.

"From turtles to tigers - from the desert of Chihuahua to the great Amazon - all these wonders of nature are at risk from warming temperatures," added Hansen.

"While adaptation to changing climate can save some, only drastic action by governments to reduce emissions can hope to stop their complete destruction."

The report was released in advance of the International Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC’s) Second Working Group Report.

The article Natural wonders feel the heat originally appeared on 999 Today