http://www.biodiversityscience.com/2012/09/26/invasional-meltdown-a-threat-to-irish-mammals/
By: Neil Reid
September 2012
Native small mammals such as the wood mouse and pygmy shrew are threatened by the introduction of non-native species
Summary:
Over the past 100 years, Ireland has had alien mammals coming into thier land. Since this is happening, the mamals that have already lived in Ireland are starting to go extinct and their habitats are being affected too. For the past 2 years, a study was shown to show the impact of when non-native animals, the bank vole and the greater white toothed shrew, affected 2 native animals, the wood mouse and pygmy shrew. These studies have shown that the bank vole has occupied a third of the island over 80 years but the greater white toothed shrew just arrived recently so the numbers would be different. This study also showed the negative aspects of the 2 non-native mammals. The outcome of this was that the greater white toothed shrew had a positive affect on the bank vole but a negative affect on the wood mouse and pygmy shrew. The author said, "If the rate of invasion continues as at present throughout the island of Ireland, its native small mammals will die out in at least 80 per cent of their available habitat." What this means is that if Ireland still has "alien" mammals coming to thier land, then the small mammals will lose 80% of their habitat. The governments in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland have joined to together to try and solve this problem by trying to monitor the "alien" mammals.
Opinion/Reflection:
I was really surprised by how just adding a few non-native animals, then the ecosystem that is already there starts to change. So when the bank vole greater white toothed shrew were added, it was coolto learn how they handled ther new enviroment. I also felt bad though for the wood mouse and pygmy shrew becasue they were losing the habitat that was already theirs to a new species. I know I would not be happy if someone would just walk on my territory so we need to help them. Also, I like the way Ireland is handling the situation at hand. They are addressing the problem and trying to find a way to solve it.
Questions:
1.How can we protect our endagered species from extinction?
2.What would happen if we added non-native species to our ecosystems?
3.What types of animals need human protection so they don't become extinct in the U.S?
4.How can we help the enviroment so an animal's habitat does not become destroyed?
I was not able to find a realiable email for an expert. But i found a organisation for endangered animals. I think they would really like this artical. They are all about helping the animals from becoming extince.
ReplyDeleteThis is what i sent:
Hi I am a student at a High School in pennsylvania. Me and my classmates are doing a blog. One of the blogs was about possible animal extinction in Irland. It would be great if you could comment on the post on this website. http://fivepeoplethatdonthaveaname.blogspot.com/
Thank you,
Timmy
http://bagheera.com/ has an article about the statistics of endangered and extinct animals.
ReplyDelete1. How can we protect our endangered species from extinction?
ReplyDeleteI think that one of the big things that will help is to simply let it be known to everyone which animals are endangered because then people will realize how their actions play a role in how many animals are becoming endangered and extinct.
2. What would happen if we added non-native species to our ecosystems?
It most likely depends on how much the species can impact the ecosystem. Some can really start to destroy an ecosystem while others are able to cooperate with the existing one.
3. What types of animals need human protection so they don't become extinct in the U.S.?
I think that animals that don't know how to adjust properly would need human protection, such as a zoo to help keep away predators.
4.How can we help the environment so an animal's habitat does not become destroyed?
One of the major things we can do is to stop polluting or at least reduce the amount of pollutants in the area because even the smallest amount of pollution can do the most damage.
I think that this article is really important to show that humans whould not move animals into other habitats because it can mess up their food chain and their whole ecosystem. I would relate this to my life as hosting someone from a whole diffrent country at your house for a week, like an exchange student. Because of what they do and eat, all of you meals and daily routine, which is similar to the ecosystem, off!
ReplyDeleteNew Questions:
1. Why are more and more species being moved to diffrent places?
2. Do you think that they want to be moved to a diffrent habitat?
3. What can we do to keep all habitats in check and not be adding a new species to it?