Dropping Like Flies
The ignored threat to Earth’s rich biodiversity
As reported by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, a UN sanctioned organization, the major proponent behind the loss of biodiversity is climate change. Granted, Earth’s history shows us that with climate change species and ecosystems tend to come and go, however, rapid and sudden increases in climate change deters the ability of the ecosystems’ and species’ to hastily adapt. This failure to adapt is the reason why our biodiversity continues to dwindle. Now the only questions left to address are: how are the specific effects of climate change causing this depletion in biodiversity and what can we do to help?
One well known cause of climate change is the increase in global temperature. In the event that the global temperature continues to increase, a plethora of different species will be affected tremendously. Take the Green Ringtail Possum of Australia for example. Biologically, the Ringtail Possum cannot regulate its body temperature when the atmospheric temperature rises above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. In the event that Australia experiences a prolonged heat wave, the Ringtail Possums will be forced to adapt to these changing conditions, conditions that are biologically impossible, and if not, well, we all know how that story ends.
Furthermore, it is not only the atmospheric temperatures that climate change is affecting, but it is also the temperature of our oceans that are being targeted. Specifically, in the oceans, coral reefs are threatened. Rising oceanic temperatures are responsible for an event known as coral bleaching. This occurs when rising temperature cause the corals to abridge their symbiotic relationship with the algae Zooxanthellae. These algae are responsible for providing essential nutrients and support, in addition to displaying a wide range of colors that corals are known for. Once these algae are released, the coral takes on a white-ish appearance, hence, coral bleaching.
Intensified Natural Disasters
Extreme natural events are not only detrimental to humans, they are also destructive to our biodiversity. Increased intensity and frequency of natural events such as fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, and more are as detrimental to humans as they are to our plants and animals. Events like droughts place insurmountable levels of stress on vegetation and animals that live in such environments. Not only are terrestrial species a target, but also marine species can be affected by such natural occurrences as well. For example, the extended heat wave during the summer of 2010 in Australia. The prolonged duration of warm temperatures forced many aquatic species, such as Manta Rays and Whale sharks, to migrate to areas of suitable conditions. This creates a plethora of issues within the oceans’ ecosystems and food web.
It is no secret that climate change is responsible for an excess of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere, and being a major ingredient in photosynthesis, plants begin to experience rapid increases in growth rates. To the normal Joe it may sound as if that’s a good thing, bigger plants = more food = cure for global hunger, however, the world doesn’t seem to work like that. For instance, Koalas’ diets consist mainly of foliage which are different assortments of plant leaves. With increased levels of CO2, these plants begin to over-photosynthesize which results in a minimized nutritional value.
In addition, oceans have also been a victim of increased percentages of atmospheric CO2. Oceans have a tendency to absorb atmospheric CO2 , which results in the basifying of these marine systems. This decrease in pH targets the development of aquatic organisms’ skeletons, which in turn affects how coral reefs recover from coral bleaching.
Although it is quite evident that biodiversity continues to decrease on a daily, there are efforts we need to take as mankind to combat this discrepancy. You may think you are doing your part in helping the ecosystem by recycling that one piece of paper instead of throwing it in the trash (don’t get me wrong-it definitely helps), but a far greater effort is needed in order to save these endangered animals. Start by simply eliminating unnecessary driving trips. Instead of driving to the mailbox or to friend’s house close by, walk. Walking is not only beneficial to your health, it is also beneficial to help reduce air pollution, the same air that animals and human breathe. In addition, I cannot emphasize this enough, education. Educate, educate, educate! People do not know they have a problem on their hands….until they know they have a problem in their hands. Educating is both a free and a very effective way in calling for the help of others in this battle against global warming and extinction.
In the end, it is our responsibility to analyze the facts and observe the reality of the situation. The effects of climate change are real and have detrimental effects on our biodiversity. It is the job of mankind to stand up in unison and help counter climate change’s assault on our beloved biodiversity, or else we might just be forced to end observe these animals at a zoo instead of their natural habitats.
