Lupa Kata Sandi? Klik di Sini

atau Masuk melalui

Belum Memiliki Akun Daftar di Sini


atau Daftar melalui

Sudah Memiliki Akun Masuk di Sini

Konfirmasi Email

Kami telah mengirimkan link aktivasi melalui email ke rudihamdani@gmail.com.

Klik link aktivasi dan dapatkan akses membaca 2 artikel gratis non Laput di koran dan Majalah Tempo

Jika Anda tidak menerima email,
Kirimkan Lagi Sekarang

5 Species Most Likely to Survive a Climate Change Disaster

Translator

Editor

22 October 2016 20:08 WIB

Gray wolf. Image: dailymail.co.uk

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Survival of the fittest. This basic tenet of evolution explains why the dodo bird no longer exists and why humans have opposable thumbs.

Adaptation is key to survival, no matter how many fingers you’ve got. The ability to adjust to whatever conditions Mother Earth sends our way determines whether obstacles lead to extinction or to a new generation.

Human-accelerated climate change is a disaster waiting to happen. We’ve already seen the superstorms and drought it can create. Although we can work to slow climate change, there’s no way to stop it completely. This reality means adaptation will once again become the most important strategy for survival.

One thing’s for sure: the Earth will continue to exist as it has for eons. The question is, what will be left behind to inhabit it?

Below are five species known for their resilience and ability to survive in adverse conditions. They are the most likely to survive a climate change disaster. Spoiler: humans don’t make the list.

Amazon trees

A study published in the latest edition of Ecology and Evolution found that a certain Amazon tree species has the ability to survive for millions of years. According to recent tests, some trees in Panama, Ecuador, Brazil, Peru, French Guiana and Bolivia are around 8 million years old, meaning they’ve already lived through period of much warmer temperatures.

However, the study is at odds with other recent research based on ecological niche-modeling scenarios, which predicted tree species’ extinctions in response to relatively small increases in global average air temperatures. Still, the study authors acknowledge that while the trees might be able to withstand temperature changes, they’re still susceptible to deforestation.

Wolves and coyotes

Climate change represents a particular threat to mammals. Recent research suggests a safe haven could be out of reach for nine percent of the Western Hemisphere’s mammals, and as much as 40 percent in certain regions. The animals just won’t move swiftly enough to outpace climate change.

There are some mammals for whom roaming is a way of life, however. Wolves and coyotes are used to wandering vast tracts of wilderness in search of food, water and safe shelter. Studies show that these traveling carnivores are some of the few species that could keep pace with a changing climate and the relocation of natural resources.

Ants

These industrious creatures are already lauded as one of the world’s most adaptable species. As some of the planet’s oldest known insects, ants were recognized for their can-do attitude way back when the Greeks wrote their famous myths.

Their colonial culture means that ants already know how to work together to guarantee survival of their queen and, thus, the species. There are approximately 20,000 different species of ants, with colonies of millions located all over the world. They were here long before humans, and the odds are good that they’ll be here long after.

Algae

Called one of the world’s most resilient and versatile species, algae is a strong contender in the race to survive climate change. Why?

Well for starters, algae is an incredibly simple organism. Consisting of just a single cell, algae only needs a tiny amount of water, sunlight and nutrients to grow and multiply. Once of the few species that has been around since the beginning of evolution — remember the primordial slime? — there are over 200,000 varieties known to man. The chances of more than a couple making it through are pretty good.

Cockroaches

As gross as they may appear, you’ve got to applaud the resilience of the cockroach. The bane of residential exterminators, these creepy crawlers have an amazing ability to survive in the most dire of circumstances.

In laboratory experiments performed at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, Pa., entomologist Christopher Tipping discovered that American cockroaches could survive for several weeks in a jar after having their heads removed! Often cited as the species most likely to endure a nuclear attack, climate change will be a walk in the park for the durable cockroach.

CARE2.COM | BETH BUCZYNSKI






Deforestation Affects Four Key Animals in Aceh, Including Sumatran Elephants

14 hari lalu

Deforestation Affects Four Key Animals in Aceh, Including Sumatran Elephants

Aceh Environment and Forestry Office (DLHK) said that deforestation affected 5.3 thousand hectares of Aceh's forests during the 2021-2022 period.


New Species of Amazon Anaconda, World's Largest Snake, Discovered

16 hari lalu

New Species of Amazon Anaconda, World's Largest Snake, Discovered

Researchers in the Amazon have discovered the world's largest snake species - an enormous green anaconda - in Ecuador's rainforest.


Solo Safari Zoo: Tickets, Opening Hours, Facilities

28 hari lalu

Solo Safari Zoo: Tickets, Opening Hours, Facilities

Solo Safari Zoo is a magnificent nature-based tourism situated on nearly 13.9 hectares of natural area in Surakarta, Central Java.


Gorilla at Jakarta Ragunan Zoo Throws Stick at Visitors; Management Explains

3 Januari 2024

Gorilla at Jakarta Ragunan Zoo Throws Stick at Visitors; Management Explains

Footage of a gorilla throwing wooden sticks at visitors at Ragunan Zoo, South Jakarta, has gone viral on social media.


Taman Safari Animal Curator: 'Wild Animals Can't Be Kept as Pets'

10 Agustus 2023

Taman Safari Animal Curator: 'Wild Animals Can't Be Kept as Pets'

Keeping wild animals at home has long been a trend among celebrities, sparking controversy.


Athens Zoo Fights to Save Tiger Cub Found in Garbage

18 Maret 2023

Athens Zoo Fights to Save Tiger Cub Found in Garbage

Greek veterinarians are fighting to save a white tiger cub abandoned in a rubbish bin at an Athens zoo, believed to be a victim of the illegal trade.


Obsolete Law is Costing Indonesian Wildlife

2 Maret 2023

Obsolete Law is Costing Indonesian Wildlife

When Indonesian prosecutors went after the leader of an illegal wildlife syndicate, they relied on a relatively new law to seek a prison sentence.


Ragunan Zoo to Revamp Cages, Create Zonation of Rp130bn

18 Februari 2023

Ragunan Zoo to Revamp Cages, Create Zonation of Rp130bn

Ragunan Zoo management submits the budget for cages beautification and creating zonation of Rp130 billion to Jakarta Provincial Government for 2023.


Cities Can Be Safe Havens for Endangered Plants and Animals

27 Oktober 2022

Cities Can Be Safe Havens for Endangered Plants and Animals

Creating better connections between humans and nature is the first step to bringing back endangered animals into our cities.


Experts Call for New Vision to Guide Protection of Endangered Species in Africa

25 Juni 2022

Experts Call for New Vision to Guide Protection of Endangered Species in Africa

The international community should rally behind a new vision to guide the protection of endangered species that inhabit Africa, experts say.