The heat is on: which animals will win or lose in climate change?
It’s hard to miss a moose
It’s harder to spot a moose in North America these days. From British Columbia to New Hampshire, moose populations are in decline. From shorter winters increasing the numbers of moose parasites like winter ticks, to warmer winters exposing these cold-weather animals to heat, the moose doesn’t seem to be surviving the weather.
Walrus Worries
Another animal that’s losing out as winters warm up is the Pacific walrus. With less floating ice, they’re gathering on Arctic coast land in larger groups than ever. This kind of togetherness isn’t good for the species, as it could increase danger from stampedes and raise the possibility of disease outbreak.
Penguin Prospects
That much-loved film starred Emperor penguins of the Antarctic may die out from Terre Adélie as a result of climate change. If greenhouse gas emissions continue at current levels, then by the year 2100 the Emperor population at Terre Adélie in East Antarctica will drop from the current 3,000 breeding pairs to about 500-600 breeding pairs.
Bark Beetles on the March
The bark beetle is an insect that’s making a meal out of climate change: This tiny creature is a decimator of forests. In times of drought, the trees that could normally defend themselves are stressed, and stressed trees are typically what the beetles mostly feast on. A study says that the damage done by mountain pine beetles in British Columbia may result in the forest emitting more carbon dioxide than it now collects.
25. ______ may win in climate change.
A. Mooses B. Penguin C. Walrus D. Bark Beetles
26. Warmer winters may ______.
A. reduce the numbers of moose parasites
B. expose these cold-weather animals to heat
C. result in the forest emitting carbon dioxide
D. cause tropical trees to move up much slower
27. The togetherness on Arctic coast land isn’t good for walrus for ______.
A. it could decrease danger from stampedes
B. they could get to the cooler temperatures
C. it could increase the possibility of disease outbreak
D. they could lose out as winters warm up in the Pacific