Getting Animals through Climate Change

Submitted by Sophie Gale on Wed, 03/06/2019 - 02:52
Forums: 
The Fourth Circle: Animal Husbandry and Pests

The Best Real Estate to Get Animals Through Climate Change

Deep in shady forests and at the bottom of towering canyons, climate refugia could provide the stability that vulnerable species need.
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/01/climate-refugia-shel...

“Refugia provide a safe haven during periods of an unfavorable climate,” Morelli and her co-authors wrote in the journal PLOS One in 2016. Indeed, such areas—whether they be on mountain slopes, in shady forests, or in deep, cool canyons—are characterized as being naturally buffered from local and regional climate changes. As global temperatures rise, these pockets could help to ensure the continued existence of valued species. In identifying refugia, Morelli and her collaborators—part of a cadre of conservation scientists working on this issue—hope their efforts will contribute to improvements in land management. “We’re looking to create a product that is as useful as possible,” Morelli says.

David Trammel's picture

David Trammel

Wed, 03/06/2019 - 19:47

Those rural refuges aren't whats going to save the most animals. Its Green Wizards creating local urban animal friendly oasises that animals can get food at and survive. Plant milkweed and feed monarch butterflies as an example.

Justin Patrick Moore's picture

Justin Patrick Moore

Thu, 03/07/2019 - 06:49

Last saturday I filled up a seed tray with milkweed seeds for the very back of our yard around the bird feeder. I'm also going to plant some in the very back of my dad's yard, where I hope to do some additional gardening, since I take care of his neighbors yard for some side money in the warm months (mowing the guy's lawn, etc.)

I also started betony and some flax. I have a lot of milkweed seeds leftover still so I plan on making seed bombs with them to throw around the neighborhood in weedy lots on my walks.

Kay Robison

Sun, 03/17/2019 - 10:11

I have some milkweed growing in my yard and it has been there for some time. I have never seen monarch butterflies or caterpillars on this plant. Now that I have chickens roaming the yard, they might be eating monarch eggs or young caterpillars. I keep hoping that monarchs will appear, but so far, no luck.

Blueberry's picture

Blueberry

Sun, 03/17/2019 - 20:08

Look for something like bird poop on the plants!!!!! Sorry wrong butterfly. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarch_butterfly