March 9, 2014
Author: Sindya N. Bhanoo
Published: March 25, 2013
Summary:
There are more than 700 species of wild fig in the tropics, and most of these species are pollinated by one certain species of fig wasp. The wasp and fig have a mutualistic relationship; the wasps rely on the fig plants to host their eggs, and the fig plants are pollinated by the wasps. Researchers that are part of a study in Singapore have recently discovered that this species of wasp is very susceptible to climate change, making the fig plants vulnerable as well. This can be detrimental to the ecosystem in equatorial Singapore, as figs are a main food source for many different animal species. Scientists found that temperatures rising only a few degrees could cut the adult fig wasps' life spans down from one to two days to a mere few hours. The average daily temperature in Singapore is about 80˚F, and in this weather the wasps' life span is between eleven and twenty-four hours. If temperatures are raised to 87.8˚F, that life span drops to between six and eighteen hours, and at 93.2˚F, less than six hours.
Connection:
While studying Unit 9, we discussed animal pollination and relationships between pollinators and plants. The main ideas of this article center around the direct effect the wasps' vulnerability to climate change has on the tropical fig plant. Furthermore, the reduction in figs would directly impact the rest of the ecosystem. In class we have also talked about the symbiotic relationship called mutualism, which is the kind of relationship the wasp and fig have with one another. Earlier in the year we studied global warming and ecosystems' temperatures rising, which is again being visited in this article, with the severity of rising temperatures impacting this species of wasp's life span.
While studying Unit 9, we discussed animal pollination and relationships between pollinators and plants. The main ideas of this article center around the direct effect the wasps' vulnerability to climate change has on the tropical fig plant. Furthermore, the reduction in figs would directly impact the rest of the ecosystem. In class we have also talked about the symbiotic relationship called mutualism, which is the kind of relationship the wasp and fig have with one another. Earlier in the year we studied global warming and ecosystems' temperatures rising, which is again being visited in this article, with the severity of rising temperatures impacting this species of wasp's life span.
What do you think are some reasons why the fig wasps are so vulnerable to climate change?
ReplyDeleteI think this is because the fig wasps haven't had the need to adapt to these increasing temperatures before, so this climate change makes them more vulnerable. Perhaps over time they will adapt.
DeleteWhat are other insects that pollinate fig plants?
ReplyDelete