Climate change, temperature, and humidity negatively affect animal reproduction!
Humans are not the only species affected by the climate crisis on our planet. The world's wildlife, animal habitats, and the ecosystems they are part of are also facing change.
Sharing important information on the effects of climate change on animals, Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Burcu Çevreli from the Department of Physiology stated, “The response to climate change in animal populations includes both phenotypic plasticity and genetic change (evolution), as well as some season-dependent factors. Among animals showing true genetic change are mosquitoes, squirrels, swallows, and drosophila (a small fly).”
Explaining that environmental, nutritional, and seasonal changes affect fertility by altering estrus activity and estrus duration in females (heat in female animals), and sperm production in males, Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Burcu Çevreli said, “Conception rates decrease under hot and cold stress.”
Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Burcu Çevreli from Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, shared important information on the effects of climate change on animals.
Climate change can negatively affect reproduction
Highlighting the general effects of climate change on animal birth rates, Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Burcu Çevreli stated that the animal environment is affected by climatic factors such as temperature, humidity, radiation, and wind, and that extreme climatic conditions can negatively affect reproduction by altering energy transfer between the animal and its environment. She added, “Adaptation to day length (photoperiodism) changes. This means that the ability to assess day or night length to regulate behavior, physiology, development, or reproduction changes.”
Which animal species are more affected by climate change?
Noting that insect, amphibian, bird, and mammal species are affected by changes in photoperiodic response, Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Burcu Çevreli said, “The latitudinal gradient in climate is caused more by winter cold than by summer heat. Consequently, successful adaptation to recent rapid climate change is expected to begin with genetic change before the development of thermal tolerance.”
How does climate change affect animal birth rates?
Emphasizing that being in the right place at the right time under correct physiological, developmental, or reproductive conditions is a fundamental component of survival in seasonal changes, Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Burcu Çevreli said, “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 histories. A specific photoperiodic response is based on correct selection over evolutionary time for the most optimal seasonal timing for development, migration, reproduction, or hibernation.”
Phenotypic plasticity…
Initially, animals cope with climate change through specific responses they individually develop, explained Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Burcu Çevreli, continuing:
“This is called phenotypic plasticity. Each individual in a population has a predetermined phenotypic reserve; some individuals can adapt to large environmental changes; others can only tolerate a narrow range of environmental changes. As climate change continues, changing conditions for the timing of development, reproduction, migration, and hibernation will exceed the limits of individual flexibility, leading to selection for genetic change in populations.”
Consequently, the ability of animal populations to survive will depend on the genetic diversity within populations, as well as additional diversity created by resources, mutation, and migration, stated Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Burcu Çevreli, “In animal populations, the response to climate change includes both phenotypic plasticity and genetic change (evolution), as well as some season-dependent factors. Among animals showing true genetic change are mosquitoes, squirrels, swallows, and drosophila (a small fly).”
How does climate change affect animals' reproductive abilities?
Explaining that environmental, nutritional, and seasonal changes affect fertility by altering estrus activity and estrus duration in females (heat in female animals), and sperm production in males, Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Burcu Çevreli said, “Conception rates decrease under hot and cold stress. In terms of adaptation to climate change, flexibility in reproductive timing appears relatively high in many passerine birds because in different years, some individuals can shift their breeding dates by almost a month in response to local weather conditions.”
Increased hot weather and extreme weather events may worsen pet obesity
Stating that climate change also affects animal behaviors, Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Burcu Çevreli said, “Although most animal species begin to reproduce when spring temperatures rise, all these behaviors are influenced by various factors such as precipitation, food access, reproductive intensity, photoperiod, and hormones. Small changes in day length trigger reproduction, and animals living in desert climates show more flexibility depending on environmental conditions. Another harm may arise from people reacting to the changing climate by altering their animal care behaviors. Increased hot weather and extreme weather events can lead to fewer exercise opportunities for companion dogs, which can further worsen pet obesity.”
Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Burcu Çevreli also noted that extreme temperature changes in the climate cause hot or cold stress by altering the energy transfer between the animal and its environment, adding, “All kinds of animal behavior are affected.”
How are ecosystems sustained through animals?
Stating that humans are not the only species affected by the climate crisis on our planet, and that the world's wildlife, animal habitats, and the ecosystems they are part of are also facing change, Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Burcu Çevreli said, “Healthy ecosystems with abundant plants and trees absorb and store carbon from 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 buffers against floods, reduce the impact of disasters, improve soil health, and support rich biodiversity. Almost all animals play vital roles in safeguarding biodiversity and protecting habitats.”
Worldwide free-roaming cat population estimates over 480 million
Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Burcu Çevreli also pointed out that pets play an important role in society and the global economy, stating, “While global estimates for pets are unknown, in 2018, it was estimated that over 373 million cats and 471 million dogs were kept as pets worldwide. The number of free-roaming domestic dogs worldwide is estimated to be between 700 million and 1 billion, and worldwide free-roaming cat population estimates are over 480 million.”
Also led to an increase in infectious diseases
Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Burcu Çevreli added that one of the global impacts of climate change is the increased spread of vector-borne species and infectious diseases, including zoonotic diseases. She said, “Climate change has allowed the geographic range of vector-borne species to expand or shift, exposing more animal and human populations to diseases and unknown, newly 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 like Lyme disease. Heartworm infections have also been found to vary with climate and weather conditions.”