I will be doing on the topics Ecology and Nutrient Cycles in the Ecosystem and Issues on Sex. I shall now begin my first post with a question related to Ecology and Nutrient Cycles, which I will resolve within the next few entries. The question is as follows: What are the effects of global warming on the ecosystem in the north and south poles?
Already, with the depleting ice-shelves caused by global warming, cetaceans such as whales, dolphins and porpoises are being affected by the rising temperatures. Beluga whales, narwhales and bow head whales are among those in Antarctica that are being affected. The decline of krill, tiny marine shrimp-like animals that are the whales' source of food, may in turn affect the population of whales. The decline is because of the lessening sea ice. As sea ice cover decreases, human activities such commercial shipping, oil and gas mining explorations and military activities will increase. This will result in greater risks from oil and chemical spills and more collisions between whales and ships. Changes in the sea temperate may also kills some whales that are unable to survive in warmer waters.
All these effects as a result of global warming will ultimately drive whales to extinction if they are allowed to continue. If this happens, there may be a unbalance in the ecosystem as predators which hunt the whales may also decline as a result, releasing a chain effect of events that are devastating.
I shall stop here for now...
Sources
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070522125023.htm
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cetaceans
Glossary
Cetaceans: Any of various aquatic, chiefly marine mammals of the order Cetacea, including the whales, dolphins, and porpoises, characterized by a nearly hairless body, anterior limbs modified into broad flippers, vestigial posterior limbs, and a flat notched tail.
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