Ryan Whitley
Author: Robin Ann Smith
Published: October 10th, 2014
Summary: In this article, Robin Ann Smith, a biology professor at Duke University, discusses the findings of an experiment done by Jason Brown of City College of New York and Anne Yoder, another Duke biologist. The goal of this study was to determine the impact of climate change and global warming on the incredibly biodiverse island of Madagascar. They did this by studying the geographic distribution of several species on Madagascar, and thus determined the effects climate change would have on different species. The results of their experiment was that different species would be impacted in different ways, with some receiving a benefit from this change and others feeling a negative impact. The team of scientists created a model with many species to see what impact climate change would have on different species. However, one model was not enough to capture all of the species living on this island, so they and to create more models. According to Yoder, "we found that different groups of species have diversified for different reasons" (No Single Explanation...). Also, other studies have shown that some of Madagascar's reptiles and amphibians have already begun to move upward in elevation to stay in their specific temperature ranges. Also, they found that around 40% of Madagascar's reptiles are at risk of losing their homes due to logging and farming in their normal forest homes.
Connection: This is very relevant to our studies so far this year. We have learned about what causes the different temperature ranges and climates to be around which latitudes due to circulation cells (Chapter 34), and this plays a major role in the biodiversity of Madagascar. Also, we have discussed Discovery Science and Hypothesis Based Science, and the differences between the two (Chapter 2). In this experiment, discovery science was used in that the scientists looked at a lot of trends and patterns they had discovered and drew a conclusion from this. Also, we have talked about the different biomes (Chapter 34), which has to do also with the circulation currents, and how different biomes are suitable for different types of life and amounts of biodiversity. The use of the Scientific Method (Chapter 2) was also on display in this experiment. This study was also a good example of the interactions within a community (Chapter 35), especially one as biologically diverse as Madagascar.
What do you predict will happen to the population of animals, reptiles, and etc. in Madagascar in the next 5 years?
ReplyDeleteKarthik, this change could have a massive impact on the biodiversity of Madagascar. The increase in temperature is causing species to move where they live on the island, and they are moving into the habitats of other species. This could lead to an increase in cometition, which could then lead to the extinction of one of the many species that are only found on Madagascar.
DeleteSpecifically, what were the benefits and negative impacts of the change in climate on the different species?
ReplyDelete