Oceans Overheating: A Peril for Whales and Dolphins
Based on the report "Whales in Hot Water," by Whale and Dolphin Conservation, the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai witnessed alarming findings. According to this report, climate change and the alarming rise in ocean temperatures pose menacing consequences to various marine species.
Ferocious competition and toxic algae
The ongoing climatic shift compels many marine creatures to seek refuge in foreign waters, resulting in brutal confrontations between closely-related species.
For instance, bottlenose dolphins have been found entering territories inhabited by Californian harbor porpoises and attacking the latter's younger relatives. This behavior, though, increases the risk of encountering water traffic and colliding with ships.
Another major drawback of elevated temperatures is an escalation in algal blooms. These algae produce harmful toxins that pose a significant threat to whales and dolphins. According to the report, two out of three baleen whales found dead in Chile in 2015, were discovered to have an extreme concentration of such toxins. The organization suspects that this sudden mass mortality was primarily due to an algal bloom.
Dietary scarcity
The scarcity of krill, the primary food source for these marine mammals, continues to decline. Since 1980, the population of krill has dipped by 30%. Consequently, animals experience less energy storage, leading to reduced mating migration towards warmer waters and fewer offspring.
Researchers have also observed that around two-thirds of reported illness outbreaks in whales and dolphins took place during periods of increased sea surface temperatures. With climate change in progression, it's not hard to envision an intensification of these challenges.
Paris Agreement’s exigency
The report advocates for the advancement of the Paris Agreement's objective to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This goal would significantly mitigate the impact on these marine species.
Plight of gray whales
For years, marine life, especially North Pacific gray whales, has been grappling with climate change's adverse effects. This struggle is increasingly manifests in mass mortalities.
The gigantic creatures migrate to the Arctic for four months during summer to feed on krill. The remaining eight months are spent in shallow Mexican lagoons fostering their young.
Over the years, scientists have noted the gradual decline in their health conditions. The increasing numbers of malnourished whales have led to widespread deaths along American coastlines.
In early 20XX, US researchers confirmed that the Arctic's warming has caused krill populations to dwindle and the whales struggle to satisfy their nutritional requirements.
Additional Reads:
Enrichment Data
The consequences of climate change on whales and dolphins are manifold, primarily impacting their food sources and migration patterns.
Food Source Disruptions
- Species Distribution: Climate change is shifting the distribution of krill and other prey species ingested by various whale species. For instance, humpback whales in the Northern California Current have suffered changes in krill swarm quality and quantity, affecting their overall health.
- Krill Energetic Density: The disappearance of specific krill species like T. spinifera due to marine heatwaves negatively influences the quality of their diet, making it harder for whales to obtain enough energy to sustain themselves.
- Melting Sea Ice: The melting of polar ice habitats reduces the availability of krill for whales. To find food, they have to travel further, leading to decreased energy reserves and reduced reproductive success.
Migration Pattern Disruptions
- Temperature and Prey Availability: Warming temperatures have resulted in altered prey availability and distribution for dolphins, making them adjust their migratory routes to follow their food sources.
- Habitat Changes and Human Interference: Coastal development, pollution, and disruption of ecosystems have forced dolphins to alter their migration routes, leading to increased stress, vulnerability, and social structure disruptions.
- Ecological Catastrophes: Extreme weather events such as storms and flooding can cause immediate and devastating damage, displacing dolphins, and disrupting their social structures.
Understanding these impacts is essential for formulating effective conservation strategies aimed at supporting and safeguarding these magnificent marine animals.
