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One million species close to extinction
No significant consequence to planet’s future
By Nishana Shukoor
With every tree that is felled and every gallon of fuel that is burnt we are adding to the stakes of yet another species being sent to the irreversible path of extinction. Even as the deniers vehemently dispute the existence of climate change, it is hard to dismiss the distress signals sent out by nature as a naturally occurring phenomenon that does not have any significant consequence on the planet or its future.
It is estimated that nearly 9-52% of all terrestrial species, i.e., about 1 million plants and animals could be on the verge of extinction if the green house gas emissions and the rising global temperature remains uncurbed by 2050. The golden toad (Bufo periglenes) found in the Monteverde cloud forests of Costa Rica have already been established as extinct along with 20 other amphibious species, following habitat changes linked to global warming.
Every organism is dependant on a healthy habitat that provides them with a source of food, water, optimum temperature and ideal circumstances to breed and raise their young ones. Though most species are naturally capable of adapting eventually to changes in their habitat, sudden habitat changes brought about by erratic and extreme weather patterns makes it nearly impossible for many to adapt in time.
The specific moisture condition of Montverde cloud forests of Costa Rica, which was the only known habitat for the golden toad, was dependant on the low-hanging clouds during the dry months of January to April. But, with the increasing night time temperature, increase in ‘dry days’ and reduction in mist frequency since the 1970s, the habitats of the frog species began to become restricted, ultimately driving them to extinction.
Several other species of plants and wildlife around the globe which have already been classified as vulnerable to extinction following existing threats of poaching, land clearance and pollution have now fallen into the highly vulnerable group with the added threat of climate change leaving them little time to adapt to the changing conditions.
The pink tailed legless lizard, broad headed snake, hawksbill turtle, several species of birds including the golden bowerbird and the grey-headed robin and mammals such as the rare Lumholtz tree kangaroos and the tiny mountain pygmy possum are just a few of the highly vulnerable species of Australia, that are likely to face extinction with the rising global temperatures and erratic weather patterns.
Coral reefs across the globe are also on the path of an irreversible decline, with global warming adding to the existing threats of over fishing, pollution and coastal development. According to the results of a study published in the journal ‘Science’, by Dr. Suzanne Livingston, marine biologist at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, the coral reefs would stand better chances of adapting if other threats didn’t act on them. But, under the existing threats from rising temperature, diseases and pollution, a third of the world’s coral reefs are on the verge of extinction.
These are but a few of the species that could altogether disappear from the face of the planet owing to man’s interference with nature. The list could get longer with species with restricted ranges, small population sizes, and limited ability to migrate at a much higher risk of extinction, unless serious efforts are taken to curb climate change and preserve the dwindling biodiversity.
More information:
http://web4.audubon.org/globalwarming/ImpactsBirdsWildlife.php
http://www.global-greenhouse-warming.com/extinct-golden-toad.html
One Response to “One million species close to extinction”
ecoadmin says:
It’s interesting that apparently we are not going to suffer on this little planet when we lose even more of our natural species, the last thing we need it to curtail our natural environment!