Panorama of Species Tweaks Life for Climate -Tim Metz

Timothy Metz

04 APR 2011

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/05/science/earth/05climate.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=science

Panorama of Species Tweaks Life for Climate

As humans, we have undoubtedly left our mark on the Earth. This planet has seen 5 mass extinctions over the past 540 million years, which took out more than 75 percent of the species present over the course of just a few million years. For more than half a century now, scientists have been warning of a coming sixth mass extinction; however this was may not be natural, it could be manmade. (Zimmer)

Recently, scientist at the University of California Berkley sought to put this claim to test. They discovered that a new wave of extinction could be well on its way by the next millennia, after they found through new methods, that the current rate of extinction is way above normal. The scientists have said that their predictions are actually an underestimate of the damage that could be done. They found that many species may suffer from a one-two punch; human impact related to overhunting and fishing, as well as deforestation, combined with the oncoming global warming, which could lead to the extinction of many species. (Zimmer)

Scientist have stated that it is almost impossible right now to identify the current global warming trends impact on one single species. However, links have been made between global warming with individual species in the past. In the year 2003, a test was done that studied 1,700 plant and animal species, which found that every decade they have been retreating 3.8 miles towards the poles, in search of a cooler climate. Another study conducted in Australia, found that the brown butterfly had been coming out of its cocoon 1.5 days earlier than average per decade, from the years 1941-2005. The brown butterfly comes out as the temperature warms up, and because the temperature has been gradually increasing overtime, the brown butterfly now emerges earlier on. (Zimmer)

Many scientists are trying to figure out which species to aid as the global temperature increases, and see if they may have to be moved to another habitat for a better climate. As time progresses more links will be able to be made to find which individual species are impacted by global warming. (Zimmer)

This article is a microcosm of what we have covered in class. We have spent the year looking at how species are impacted by their surrounding environment, and this article delves into how more connections may be made as our climate changes. The message embodies what ecology seeks to teach us and brings a hopeful message of one day discovering direct correlation between the environment and individual species.

This article was very interesting and I think that as science progresses, we will be able to find direct correlations. However, I think that the impact that we have on this planet will improve as well overtime. Man has become more conscious of his impact on the environment which is leading to “greener alternatives” to help reduce our impact. One great example is the transition of using fuel for cars, to the development of hybrids, to maybe one day having cars being completely electric or solar powered. This may give our planet the opportunity to slow down the process of global warming, or even reverse the trends!

Works Cited

1) Zimmer, Carl. "Panorama of Species Tweaks Life for Climate." Nytimes.com. The New York Times Company, 04 Apr. 2011. Web. 4 Apr. 2011. .