Global Warming victimizes Insects |
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The danger of global warming is not only looming on the human civilization but is also posing a fear of extinction for the other members of the living world. To a recently concluded study it has been found that the tropical insects have greater chances of getting extinct as a result of global warming. This is far more serious and grievous than the condition of the polar bears. The study report has proclaimed that the very insects in the tropial climates are already living at the highest range of temperature and any further increase may make them extinct. However, this will have a great repercussion for tropical habitats that does depend a lot on the insects for several aspects, ranging from pollination to waste disposal. This has been clarified by the report stating even a tokenish increase in temperatre can bring about disatrous effect on the survival of a wide variety of important insects. It should be noted that for days climate scientists have been predicting great fluctuations of temperatures in the polar regions as a result of climate change. But this latest study report is an indicator that even the trivial changes in tropics may lead to greater impacts on local wildlife. This grave concern was also expressed by Curtis Deutsch, the Assistant Professor of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Deutsch is a responsible contributor in the study report and said, "Many tropical species can only tolerate a narrow range of temperatures because the climate they experience is pretty constant throughout the year. Our calculations show that they will be harmed by rising temperatures more than would species in cold climates. Unfortunately, the tropics also hold the large majority of species on the planet." Moreover, insects are essential for the preservation of the health of tropical habitats. They are found to perform all forms of essential services and these include seperation of organic matter, pollinating flowers for the production of fruits and nuts and providing sustenance for creatures higher up the food chain. But, if there is any change of temperature in the surrounding climate, especially at the higher end, the whole insect world would be devastated. The chief reason is the insects have no way of adapting or moving. The same observation was propounded by Joshua Tewksbury of Washington University who is also the co-author of the study report. According to Dr. Tewksbury, "There's a strong relationship between your physiology and the climate you live in. In the tropics many species appear to be living at or near their thermal optimum, a temperature that lets them thrive. But once temperature gets above the thermal optimum, fitness levels most likely decline quickly and there may not be much they can do about it." Well, to reach this conclusion the scientists attentively used daily and monthly global temperatures between 1950 and 2000. The observations were then compared with the available information indicating overall species "fitness" which happen to be the indicators of population growth rates and physical performance of different creatures. It revealed that even any change in temperature had a negative effect on fitness jeopardizing the entire order. Lastly, other dangers originating from global warming also persists and that can also be highly fatal for tropical regions, especially food crops. Posted by subhasis on Wednesday May 07 reply Comments |
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