Wildlife Species More At Risk Than We Think
A recent study warns that 1 in 10 species could be lost by the end of the 21st century, and that the current rate of extinctions is up to tens to hundreds of times faster than it has been in the last 10 million years. The study, which was carried out by the Center for Biological Diversity and published in the journal Nature, also lays bare the dangers of climate change and invasive species, and highlights the importance of preserving biodiversity.
Increasing assaults on biodiversity in the next two decades
One of the most important environmental and social issues of our time is the increasing assaults on biodiversity. This is what brings up the subject of the idea that 1 in 10 species could be lost. The number of being driven to extinction is at an all-time high. This is due to human activity, including overfishing, water pollution, and transporting invasive species. This is in addition to changes in local climates. The rate of extinction is tens to hundreds of times higher than the average, which poses serious ecological, economic, and social implications.
The Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) released the most comprehensive assessment of the state of the world’s biodiversity in a new report. The report, based on thousands of scientific studies, was approved by representatives from 131 countries. Which is the first of its kind and the premise of the possibility that 1 in 10 species could be lost was subject matter.
It is estimated that a quarter of the planet’s land and oceans may have been altered by society. This includes the clearing of forests for farmland, industrial waste dumped into the ocean, and the construction of roads. Moreover, a majority of the world’s wetlands have disappeared since the 18th century.
The report highlights the importance of sustainable consumption and production, improving access to green spaces, and increasing services for low-income communities. The report also mentions the importance of ecological connectivity to help assist with preventing 1 in 10 species that could be lost.
The IPBES Global Assessment Report was compiled by 145 expert authors from 50 countries. It is 1,500 pages long.
Extinction rates are tens to hundreds of times higher than they have been in the past 10 million years
According to a recent study, Earth is on the verge of losing one in ten species by the end of the century. This is the first time a report has looked at the entire scope of biodiversity decline.
The report is a 1,500-page document compiled by hundreds of scientists from around the world. The authors of the report claim that the loss of biodiversity is accelerating at an alarming rate. They urge immediate action to protect nature, and to expand protected areas.
The report’s main message is that humans have pushed nature to its limits. As humans expand to new areas, and as we deplete natural resources, the planet is on the verge of losing a large number of plants and animals. Several million species could go extinct within decades, and nearly half a million land species are already lacking enough habitat to survive.
The report also warns that a thriving planet will require transformative change, and it’s a challenge for the public to accept. In particular, it would require enforcing environmental laws, cracking down on illegal logging, and developing more efficient ways to produce food on less land.
The latest report on biodiversity is a landmark, compiled by hundreds of international experts. It uses a plethora of statistical and anecdotal evidence to paint a grim picture of the future.
The report also found that nature is declining globally at unprecedented rates in human history. Some of the key drivers of this decline include global warming, habitat loss, and the overuse of energy resources.
Amphibians should be viewed as the canary in the global coal mine
Amphibians are a vital part of the ecosystem, providing a bridge between land and water, as well as a source of food for countless other creatures. They also provide valuable environmental monitoring. However, the recent declines in their numbers could indicate the beginnings of a catastrophic environmental disaster.
Aside from their well-deserved reputation for being an ecological pest controller, amphibians are a keystone species in many ecosystems, playing a critical role in nutrient recycling through wetland systems. In fact, one-third of the world’s 5,918 amphibian species are classified as threatened with extinction.
Some studies suggest that amphibians may be the first species to succumb to the forces of climate change. This is a scary proposition given their permeable skin.
The gist of it is that many of these frogs are succumbing to a deadly fungus known as chytridiomycosis. Infection is not confined to the wild; it is also spreading rapidly throughout Africa and Central and South America. The aforementioned fungus, if left unchecked, could wipe out as many as 6,000 species of frogs worldwide.
The good news is that some amphibian species have begun to recover from the malady. Still, the question remains, will the declines ever reverse?
The study also highlights the complexity of the matter. This is a serious matter because of the importance of this class of animals in human life, and the fact that they are sensitive to changes in environmental conditions. In fact, one could even make a case for their being an early warning system of sorts.
Climate change is causing rapid changes in the range and distribution of plants around the world
Climate change (CC) is a complex process potentially affecting the planet’s atmosphere, oceans, land, and wildlife. The process is caused by changes in the amount of heat trapped by greenhouse gases. CC may be driven by natural processes or human activities. It has a major impact on the risk for extinction of species.
Among the impacts of CC are climatic and ecological shifts, changes in the number and duration of extreme weather events, and changes in ocean circulation. These are predicted to result in dramatic changes in the diversity and distribution of plants and animals. Some of the changes will affect the timing and length of the growing season, which may change the survival of plants and animals.
The rate at which range and distribution shifts occur is dependent on a number of factors. For instance, species are likely to expand their range when they are exposed to new soil biota or to improved feeding sites. On the other hand, species’ populations are more likely to shrink as they move toward higher latitudes. In some cases, these shifts are driven by land-use change or intensified grazing.
The responses of species to range shifts are also dependent on the type of species. For example, species that live in drier, less nutrient-rich ecosystems, such as Africa’s semi-deciduous closed-canopiped forests, may be very sensitive to a reduction in precipitation during the growing season.
Mountain lions adapting well to human-dominated landscapes
Mountain lions are a large carnivore with a long range. Primarily nocturnal and crepuscular. Who can use a variety of prey species. They are also highly territorial.
Most commonly seen in urban areas. They are also highly adaptable. Among other things, they change their activity patterns in response to changes in prey availability and temperature. They are ecological engineers. They move among different habitats depending on availability and climatic conditions.
As climate change continues to affect wildlife, mountain lions will have to adjust. They may need to shift predation patterns or forage in areas with consistent water sources. They can do this through migration, behavioral adaptation or morphological adaptation.
Some ecoregional shifts are likely to benefit mountain lions. These may include shifting the distribution of ungulate populations. They may also have to relocate to more northern latitudes to avoid a lack of snowpack. This will affect the foraging abilities of ungulates.
However, other changes may be more detrimental to mountain lions. For instance, the frequency of road crossings increased after the fire. This may lead to more conflicts with humans. And if mountain lions expand their territory, they will have to travel further to find their prey.
Additionally, they are highly susceptible to injury. They can suffer from nutritional deficiencies. Having a nutritional deficit increases their vulnerability to predators. If this is the case, they might show risk-sensitive foraging on domestic animals.
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Provided by Antonio Westley
Disclaimer: This article is meant to be seen as an overview of this subject and not a reflection of viewpoints or opinions as nothing is definitive. So, make sure to do your research and feel free to use this information at your own discretion.
