Climate change undoubtedly remains a controversial issue, but significant losses in Earth’s biodiversity serve as evidence to prove that it is in fact a serious issue. Temperature increases and changes in the amount of precipitation directly affect various species depending on their physiology and tolerance of environmental changes. This affects their food supply and reproductive timing, influencing their fitness. Amphibians have been rapidly declining for the past twenty years, and approximately 41% of species are now extinct or threatened with extinction. Habitat loss, disease, invasive species, overexploitation, and chemical pollution are just a few of the factors contributing to the great loss of amphibian species. Biologically, most amphibians are biphasic and thus require both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Their moist, permeable skin, which is used for respiration in species, such as Plethodon metcalfi, is extremely sensitive. In addition, amphibians are located right in the center of the food web and experience a constant risk from predation. These threats compounded with climate change have detrimental effects on these climate-sensitive creatures. Below, check out some key issues behind lossed in biodiveristy. What Causes This Loss in Biodiversity? The primary causes of species extinction and loss of biodiversity is human population growth, increasing per capita consumption, and climate change. What Species Are Most Affected? Dispersal-limited and rare species, as well as species that are sensitive to shifts in temperature and moisture, suffer the greatest consequences from climate change. This is due to their inability to change their distribution in order to find an environment more suitable. Thus, species that are widely distributed are more likely to be adaptive to a variety of environmental conditions. As a result, they have a greater chance of survival during climate change. What Can We Do To Prevent This? Conservative efforts are essential in preserving biodiversity. It is estimated that biodiversity losses in mammals, birds, and amphibians would be 20% greater without conservation efforts. It is apparent that our ignorance about species’ numbers, distributions, and threat level affects biodiversity. We must increase our knowledge about rare species that have small geographical ranges. Protected areas are necessary to reducing extinctions, as these regions do not experience much human pressure. Accurate, new statistical methods, photo-sharing technology, and social networking have greatly helped in identifying species as endangered. Scientific and technological advancements concerning loss of biodiversity are imperative in order for us to adequately protect our Earth. ~ Samantha Worth
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The Slime Times is written by the Stress After Dark Creative Inquiry TeamScience isn't all white lab coats and ivory pillars, sometimes you just need to get slimy. Archives
August 2016
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