GLOBAL WARMING: THE GREATEST THREAT TO WILDLIFE

Global warming is by far the greatest threat to birds and wildlife. It impacts all kinds of wildlife in many different ways.  Global warming is not just a threat to the environment.  Ever thought how the effects of global warming can be a warning and a threat to wildlife.

Impact of Global Warming on Wildlife

Wildlife is an important part of ecological community in the environment. Wildlife is an important character of the nature, so its conservation is an important obligation of human beings for the sustainability of life on planet earth. 

Global warming has led to habitat loss due to sea level rise, flooding, wildfires, washing away nesting sites due to cloud bursts and torrential rains, extended period of droughts with increased daytime temperatures resulting in delayed fruit set in wild fruit trees, and build up of invasive species and loss in desired vegetation.

Bird migrations are severely impacted and the ripple effects are seen in terms of significant loss in reproduction, breeding, nesting and hatching. In no time birds can become extinct. Global warming is not just affecting the environment, but the ecology.

Climate change models predict that sea temperatures will rise significantly, including in the tropics. In these areas, rainfall is also predicted to increase, reducing the salt concentration of the surface layer of the sea.

The weather and climate of Karnataka has drastically changed as compared to the few decades; the impact of global warming had not only affected the human being but to a large extends effected the wildlife to exist. In the olden days, the threat of wildlife came from the barrel of the gun, but now a vast majority of the wildlife is driven to extinction as direct consequences of man’s exploitation of forest wealth, and also the introduction of MTPL in Mangalore, displacement of the people to a different area, there is no end in sight of this tragedy.

The imbalance created by companies has also resulted in global warming; the impact of climatic change is more to the wildlife. The wildlife population is under constant siege in the migration and breeding population of both birds and animal. Wildlife cannot adapt to sudden and rapid climate changes nor able to migrate to more suitable area in and around the place.

Karnataka is the home of few critically endangered species of flora that include Gyps indicus (the Indian vulture) and two species of frogs, Indirana gundia (found only in Gundia range, Sakleshpur) and Micrixalus kottigeharensis (found only near Kottigehara, Chikkamagaluru district).Endangered species of fauna found in Karnataka include the Bengal tiger, Indian elephant, lion-tailed macaque, olive ridley turtle and dhole, the Indian wild dog.

Many endangered species of amphibians are found here, including frogs, Indirana brachytarsus, Microhyla sholigari, Minervarya sahyadris, Nyctibatrachus aliciae, Nyctibatrachus hussaini, Nyctibatrachus sanctipalustris, Philautus charius, Philautus wynaadensis, Ramanella mormorata and Rhacophorus lateralis and a toad, Bufo beddomii. Other endangered species of fauna include Hipposideros hypophyllus (the Kolar leaf-nosed bat) and Pseudomulleria dalyi (a mollusc). 

The interaction of wildlife in nature is predominantly in the environment. Wildlife plays an essential role in the ecological and biological processes that are yet again significant to life. The normal functioning of the biosphere depends on endless interactions amongst animals, plants, and microorganisms. This, in turn, maintains and enhances human life further. Wildlife maintains ecological ‘balance of nature’ and maintains food chain and nature’s cycles.

Many habitats are directly influenced by the way animals live. Grasslands, for example, exist partly because grasses and grazing animals have evolved a close partnership, which prevents other plants from taking hold. Tropical forests also owe their existence to animals, because most of their trees rely on animals to distribute their pollen and seeds. Soil is partly the result of animal activity, because earthworms and other invertebrates help to break down dead remains and recycle the nutrients that they contain. Without animal life, the soil would soon become compacted and infertile. 

By preying on each other, animals also help to keep their own numbers in check. This prevents abrupt population peaks and crashes and helps to give living systems a built-in stability. On a global scale, animals also affect some of the nutrient cycles on which almost all life depends.

Its all in the hands of the individuals to save our planet and ecosystem for the benefits of all not just for our wants at least for the needs.

PC- Jom.S