Rooted to the spot. Climate change is a term so pregnant with understatement, it rather fails to impress. This might explain the nonchalance with which most people have said and read it. One might posit climate destruction as a better, more accurate label. Sure, a handful of species might prosper under the auspices of climate change, but the vast majority will suffocate. For some perspective, as a new study reveals, the Andean cloud forests are already experiencing the burn. Across the globe, species are moving and migrating, changing altitude to escape climate change. Unfortunately, most of nature moves at a slower pace than hasty humans. In the case of the cloud forests, natural barriers like ecotones, usually helpful facilitators, are blocking salvation. The forests are simply taking too long to move up, and the flames are licking at their heels. Few are aware that these secluded ecosystems are home to a wealth of endemic and rare species, most unknown to science. When the forests go, these creatures will go with. Change is in the air: turn and face it.
Posted on: Thu, 17 Oct 2013 19:37:41 +0000
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