http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/04/150430225703.htm
Science Daily: University of Connecticut
Mark C. Urban & Sheila Foran
April 30, 2015
A rising concern regarding the ongoing 6th mass extinction has caught the eyes of researchers, as new predictions supported with recent studies were released. Extinction of species is natural, as each organism had its own background extinction rate. However, as the climate is being worsened by pollution and global warming, this extinction rate is being rapidly increased. This evoked a question among researchers on whether or not, the effect of global warming is greater in particular regions and how the disturbance in species diversity can lead to problems which have a large effect on humans too.
Steady increase
The researchers at University of Connecticut have noticed a correlation, that as the global temperature increases, the extinction rate does as well. Quite common to think, however, it is not a regular increase, but much of an exponential trend. With a current conditions, the predicted rate is at 3% - if there is an increase of 3°C, the rate would also increase to 8.5%. As this trend continues, a 4.3°C would result in a 16% extinction rate, which is expected to occur by 2100. This drastic change is something which should concern many, as exponential growth is one which is difficult to control or decrease. With 16% species becoming extinct within less than a century, researchers continued their investigations to see what other factors could affect the extinction rates.
Climate Ranges
The probability of species becoming extinct is much greater in the Southern Hemisphere near Australia and New Zealand, which are near the ozone hole, as well as South America. When species who were adapted to small temperature changes throughout the year are now exposed to larger changes, they then struggle to survive and are at a higher risk of extinction. Nearly 60% of studies have shown that the southern hemisphere is more prone to species extinction due to the varying climate ranges which have been altered by global warming. This mostly relates to the Emperor Penguins, as their habitat is melting, and is being melted earlier in the season too. Therefore, the extinction of species in the southern hemisphere is sped up in contrast to those of the northern hemisphere.
Effects on society
Some of the mentioned effects of this issue are the dangers which extinction would create to the human population. Despite the fact that we are the ones who have caused the issue - humans and the agricultural and production movement - we are now the ones in danger. Not necessarily complete species extinction, but also species disruption or abundance would effect crop growth, spread of disease and ecosystems. Despite our strong position on the planet, where we have much technology and materials to prevent several ecological issues, it will be very difficult to manage the changes caused by the climate, as all the side effects would create many more problems. "It's hard enough to predict change, but in the end, we have one climate to contend with." The scientists are calling out to the population to take initiative in realising that we have only one climate to manage, and one earth to take care of, with no second chances for a change.
In my personal opinion, I believe that this is an issue which is not regarded too greatly on a more overall perspective. We generally look at issues which directly affect us now - however, these issues will be a large concern to our future generations. As the Earth is shaped by our previous generations, I believe it is our responsibility to take care of it rather than worsen the situation for the future. Global warming will not only affect the species diversity and lead to extinction, but it will become a chain reaction. Once several species are extinct and removed from the food webs, the other species will then become threatened as well. Therefore, species extinction at an exponential trend would lead to large scale effects on the human race, as our agriculture and ecosystem would deteriorate and become unstable. Breaking the equilibrium will lead to the extinction of the last species remaining: Homo sapiens.
Science Daily: University of Connecticut
Mark C. Urban & Sheila Foran
April 30, 2015
A rising concern regarding the ongoing 6th mass extinction has caught the eyes of researchers, as new predictions supported with recent studies were released. Extinction of species is natural, as each organism had its own background extinction rate. However, as the climate is being worsened by pollution and global warming, this extinction rate is being rapidly increased. This evoked a question among researchers on whether or not, the effect of global warming is greater in particular regions and how the disturbance in species diversity can lead to problems which have a large effect on humans too.Steady increase
The researchers at University of Connecticut have noticed a correlation, that as the global temperature increases, the extinction rate does as well. Quite common to think, however, it is not a regular increase, but much of an exponential trend. With a current conditions, the predicted rate is at 3% - if there is an increase of 3°C, the rate would also increase to 8.5%. As this trend continues, a 4.3°C would result in a 16% extinction rate, which is expected to occur by 2100. This drastic change is something which should concern many, as exponential growth is one which is difficult to control or decrease. With 16% species becoming extinct within less than a century, researchers continued their investigations to see what other factors could affect the extinction rates.
Climate RangesThe probability of species becoming extinct is much greater in the Southern Hemisphere near Australia and New Zealand, which are near the ozone hole, as well as South America. When species who were adapted to small temperature changes throughout the year are now exposed to larger changes, they then struggle to survive and are at a higher risk of extinction. Nearly 60% of studies have shown that the southern hemisphere is more prone to species extinction due to the varying climate ranges which have been altered by global warming. This mostly relates to the Emperor Penguins, as their habitat is melting, and is being melted earlier in the season too. Therefore, the extinction of species in the southern hemisphere is sped up in contrast to those of the northern hemisphere.
Effects on society
Some of the mentioned effects of this issue are the dangers which extinction would create to the human population. Despite the fact that we are the ones who have caused the issue - humans and the agricultural and production movement - we are now the ones in danger. Not necessarily complete species extinction, but also species disruption or abundance would effect crop growth, spread of disease and ecosystems. Despite our strong position on the planet, where we have much technology and materials to prevent several ecological issues, it will be very difficult to manage the changes caused by the climate, as all the side effects would create many more problems. "It's hard enough to predict change, but in the end, we have one climate to contend with." The scientists are calling out to the population to take initiative in realising that we have only one climate to manage, and one earth to take care of, with no second chances for a change.
In my personal opinion, I believe that this is an issue which is not regarded too greatly on a more overall perspective. We generally look at issues which directly affect us now - however, these issues will be a large concern to our future generations. As the Earth is shaped by our previous generations, I believe it is our responsibility to take care of it rather than worsen the situation for the future. Global warming will not only affect the species diversity and lead to extinction, but it will become a chain reaction. Once several species are extinct and removed from the food webs, the other species will then become threatened as well. Therefore, species extinction at an exponential trend would lead to large scale effects on the human race, as our agriculture and ecosystem would deteriorate and become unstable. Breaking the equilibrium will lead to the extinction of the last species remaining: Homo sapiens. 
No comments:
Post a Comment