Final answer:
Climate change affects weathering and erosion rates by increasing global temperatures and changing precipitation patterns, which can speed up chemical and physical erosion processes and influence sediment transport and deposition.
Step-by-step explanation:
Climate change contributes to alterations in weathering and erosion rates by influencing temperature, moisture, and weather patterns, factors that are all vital in the process of weathering. An increase in average global air and ocean temperatures may accelerate chemical weathering processes. These changes in climate can lead to more extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall and storms, which often result in enhanced erosion of land as well as changes in the pattern of sediment deposition.
Additionally, alterations in climate patterns may shift the distribution of ecosystems and biomes, further influencing erosion patterns. Furthermore, as climate change affects the pH of rain (making it more acidic due to increased levels of CO2), chemical weathering of acid-sensitive rocks may also increase. Increased erosion can result in higher rates of sediment transport and deposition, affecting the characteristics of both clastic and chemical sedimentary rocks.