Climate change threatens the lives of animals and ecosystems!

Climate change, heat and humidity adversely affect the reproduction of animals!

Humans are not the only species on our planet affected by the climate crisis. The world's wildlife, the habitats of animals and the ecosystems of which they are part are also facing change.

Informing about the effects of climate change on animals, Department of Physiology Asst. Prof. Burcu Çevreli stated that "In animal populations, the response to climate change includes both phenotypic flexibility and genetic change (evolution) as well as some seasonal factors. Animals that show true genetic variation include mosquitoes, squirrels, swallows and drosophila (a small fly)."

Explaining that environmental, nutritional and seasonal changes affect estrus activity in female animals, estrus duration in females and fertility by changing sperm production in male animals, Asst. Prof. Burcu Çevreli said that "Conception rates in animals decrease under the stress of heat and cold."

Üsküdar University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology Asst. Prof. Burcu Çevreli shared important information about the effects of climate change on animals.

Climate changes can adversely affect reproduction

Pointing out the general effects of climate change on the birth rates of animals, Asst. Prof. Prof. Burcu Çevreli stated that the animal environment is affected by climatic factors such as temperature, humidity, radiation and wind, and that the extremes in the climate can adversely affect reproduction by changing the energy transfer between the animal and its environment, and Çevreli added that "Adaptation to the length of the day (photoperiodism) changes. This means that it is an alteration of the ability to assess the length of day or night to regulate behavior, physiology, development, or reproduction."

Which animal species is climate change affecting the most?

Noting that insect, amphibian, bird and mammal species are affected by the change in the photoperiodic response, Asst. Prof. Burcu Çevreli said that "The latitudinal slope in the climate is caused by the winter cold rather than the summer heat. As a result, successful adaptation to recent rapid climate change is expected to begin genetically before the development of thermal tolerance."

How does climate change affect animal birth rates?

Pointing out that being in the right physiological, developmental or reproductive conditions at the right time and place is an essential component of sustaining life in seasonal changes, Asst. Prof. Burcu Çevreli stated that "A wide variety of vertebrates and invertebrates in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats use photoperiodism to predict and prepare for seasonal transitions of important events in their life stories. A given photoperiodic response is based on correct selection over evolutionary time for the optimal seasonal time for development, migration, reproduction, or dormancy."

Phenotypic flexibility...

Stating that they initially coped with certain reactions that animals developed individually against climate change, Asst. Prof. Burcu Çevreli continued her remarks as follows:

"This is called phenotypic plasticity. Each individual in a population has a predetermined phenotypic reserve. While some individuals are able to adapt to major environmental changes, other individuals can only tolerate a narrow range of environmental changes. As climate change continues, changing conditions for the timing of development, reproduction, migration, and dormancy will exceed the limits of individual resilience and generate selection for genetic change in populations.

As a result, the ability of animal populations to survive will depend on the sources of genetic diversity within the populations, and the additional diversity created by mutation and migration. In animal populations, the response to climate change includes both phenotypic flexibility and genetic change (evolution) as well as some seasonal factors. Animals that show true genetic variation include mosquitoes, squirrels, swallows and drosophila (a small fly)."

How does climate change affect animals' ability to reproduce?

Explaining that environmental, nutritional and seasonal changes affect estrus activity, estrus duration in female animals and fertility by changing sperm production in male animals, Asst. Prof. Burcu Çevreli said that "Conception rates in animals decrease under the stress of heat and cold. In terms of adaptation to climate change, flexibility in breeding timing appears to be relatively high in many songbirds because in different years some individuals may change their breeding dates by almost a month in response to local weather conditions."

Hot weather and an increase in extreme weather events can make pet obesity worse

Stating that climate change also affects the behavior of animals, Asst. Prof. Burcu Çevreli said that "Although most animal species start to reproduce when spring temperatures increase, all these behaviors are affected. Animals are affected by various factors such as rainfall, access to food, reproductive intensity and photoperiod, and hormones. Animals living in areas with desert climates, where small changes in day length initiate reproduction, are more flexible depending on environmental conditions. Another harm may come from people reacting to the changing climate by changing their animal care behaviors. The increase in hot weather and extreme weather events can lead to reduced exercise opportunities for companion dogs, which can exacerbate pet obesity.”

Pointing out that extreme temperature changes in the climate changes the energy transfer between the animal and its environment, causing hot or cold stress, Asst. Prof. Burcu Çevreli stated that "All kinds of behaviors of animals are affected.”

How are ecosystems maintained by animals?

Stating that humans are not the only species affected by the climate crisis on our planet, the world's wildlife, the habitats of animals and the ecosystems they are a part of are also faced with change, Asst. Prof. Burcu Çevreli expressed that "Healthy ecosystems with abundant plants and trees absorb and store carbon in the atmosphere. Therefore, protecting or restoring nature is a powerful tool in the race to stop climate change. Healthy ecosystems also filter water, act as a buffer against flooding, reduce the impact of disasters, improve soil health, and support rich biodiversity. Almost all animals play vital roles in securing biodiversity and protecting their habitats."

Worldwide free-roaming cat population estimates at 480 million

Pointing out that pets play an important role in society and the world economy, Asst. Prof. Burcu Çevreli stated that "Although global estimates of pets are unknown, it is estimated that more than 373 million cats and 471 million dogs were kept as pets worldwide in 2018. The number of free-roaming pet dogs worldwide is estimated to be between 700 million and 1 billion and estimates of the worldwide free-roaming cat population are over 480 million."

It has also led to an increase in infectious diseases

Stating that one of the global effects of climate change is the increase in the spread of vector-borne species and infectious diseases, including zoonotic diseases, Asst. Prof. Burcu Çevreli concluded her remarks as follows: "Climate change has allowed the geographic range of vector-borne species to expand or change, exposing more animal and human populations to diseases and unknown emerging zoonoses. Similarly, climate change can affect the carrying capacity of ecosystems, altering the population density of host or vector species. Increased hot weather has been found to increase the prevalence of ticks and tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease. Heartworm infections (dirofilaria) have also been found to vary according to climate and weather conditions.”

 

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)