Why Marine Animals Will Become Extinct Before Terrestrial Species

 

Due to the increase in global temperature and, in particular, in the oceans, more and more animals are losing their lives. If we continue like this, we could see how marine species disappear completely.

The disappearance of animal species is one of the great concerns that derive from global warming and in particular from the rise in temperature in the seas. If we add other human activities that destroy natural ecosystems, then we face a hopeless destiny and in which it is possible that there is no return, nor salvation for the species.

The appointment of the koala as a functionally extinct species has once again attracted media attention in the face of environmental conservation, as well as efforts to save all species, both animals and plants, from disappearing from the planet. However, when it comes to marine species, we face a problem as immense as our oceans.

Unlike terrestrial species, the marine fauna has no way to protect themselves from heat, since although they find shade under the algae, the water that surrounds them has gradually increased in temperature and these animals are not adapted to survive the increase in temperature .

The lack of adaptability of these beings has to do with the fact that their environment has changed minimally. Malin Pinsky, ecologist and evolutionary biologist and leader of the research published in Nature explains:

"Marine animals live in an environment that, historically, has not changed that much temperature. It is as if the marine animals were driving on a narrow mountain road that on the other side has a precipice of temperature. " 

Why marine animals will become extinct before terrestrial species 2Their inability to adapt and find a refuge with lower temperature causes them to have a greater risk of disappearing and the effects are already visible. According to the report of National Geographic , in historical territories, half of certain marine species have already disappeared and when comparing the rate of disappearance of marine species with terrestrial species, they found that in the sea animals die twice as much as terrestrial ones.

In a certain way, a good part of the fauna of the ocean can migrate to new territories, however, there are some that are incapable of it, such as coral or anemones, which causes them to disappear effectively. In the same way, when altering or destroying their ecosystems, there are problems related to obtaining food, which can ultimately alter the food chain, as well as the birth rate of these animals. In addition to the significant impacts on our industries, for example, the jobs that fishing generates and, of course, what we eat.Why marine animals will become extinct before terrestrial species 3

This does not mean that terrestrial species are less important. In general, it has been proven that warm-blooded species are able to cope better with heat, while cold-blooded species suffer more from the effects of warming, however, no matter their blood, if they are not able to find shade or cooler shelters, the rate of disappearance may be similar and equally serious.

All species are at risk when we consider factors such as illegal traffic, overfishing, pollution of their environments or their destruction for human activities such as agriculture or the introduction of exotic species that end with local flora and fauna. Why marine animals will become extinct before terrestrial species 4

Therefore, it is necessary that in the reduction of our carbon footprint, we add other efforts that involve stopping overfishing to allow the numbers of the marine fauna to grow and establish marine protected areas that help their conservation.