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The Impact of Climate Change on Wildlife Behavior

Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation,Knowledge Hub

The increasingly hot temperatures we have been experiencing recently are one of the effects of climate change. Unfortunately, the impacts of climate change are not limited to this; there are many other consequences, such as rising sea levels, the emergence of new pests and diseases in agriculture, and natural disasters that indirectly force us to adapt to an environment that is no longer as comfortable as it once was.

 

The primary cause of climate change is the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which leads to the greenhouse effect and causes global warming. Massive industrial activities that use fossil fuels, forest fires, large-scale land use changes, and the accumulation of untreated consumer waste are the main drivers of the large-scale release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

 

So, what is the connection between climate change and changes in wildlife behavior?
Imagine that we (humans), considered the most adaptable living creatures, already feel uncomfortable with these changes and end up relying on available technologies like fans and air conditioners.

 

It turns out that climate change triggers changes in wildlife behavior, including:

1. Changes in Wildlife Habitats

Indonesia’s tropical forests, such as those in Kalimantan, Sumatra, and Papua, are facing significant pressures due to climate change, including changes in rainfall patterns and more frequent forest fires. Tropical forests are highly dependent on rain to maintain ecosystem balance. Changes in rainfall patterns cause stress on forest vegetation, which reduces the ability of these forests to provide food and shelter for wildlife, such as orangutans, Sumatran tigers, and birds of paradise.

2. Impact on Marine Ecosystems

Coastal and marine ecosystems are also affected by global warming. Erosion and rising sea levels contribute to the degradation of mangrove ecosystems. In addition, the rising sea temperatures cause coral bleaching, forcing corals to expel zooxanthellae (symbiotic algae that provide color and nutrients to corals), resulting in the loss of habitat for reef fish and a decline in marine biodiversity.

3. Changes in Reproductive Patterns

Many reptile species, such as turtles and crocodiles, have temperature-dependent sex determination. For sea turtles, higher temperatures lead to the hatching of more female hatchlings, while for crocodiles, this temperature shift may result in fewer male hatchlings. This can affect the population dynamics of both species. In mammals, such as deer, heat stress can reduce sperm production and lower reproductive success.

4. Migration and Population Shifts

The stranding of marine mammals, such as whales and dolphins, is evidence that climate change is also affecting migration patterns in the wild. Whales, which typically migrate between breeding areas and feeding grounds in colder waters, are now forced to alter their migration routes due to changes in food availability.

On land, climate change forces many terrestrial species to search for more suitable thermal or ecological environments. Monkeys and primates in some tropical areas are being forced to move farther to find food or suitable nesting sites, which increases the potential for conflicts with humans.

5. Human-Wildlife Conflicts

Global warming can cause wildlife to lose their natural habitats. As a result, many species seek new habitats, often located near or even within human settlements. This is also driven by the diminishing availability of food in their natural habitats or changes in their migratory routes.

 

Human-wildlife conflicts also lead to significant losses, such as crop failures caused by long-tailed monkeys disrupting farms, damage to plants due to elephant attacks, and even human casualties from tiger attacks, as recently occurred in Lampung Province.

 

Climate change demands that we become more concerned with environmental conservation. One of the first steps in addressing climate change is to make more mindful choices about what we consume, minimize waste production, conserve energy, and actively participate in environmental preservation efforts.

 

Contributors:

Ahmad Rifa’i

“Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.”

-Swedish proverb

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Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation,Knowledge Hub
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