“Associate Professor Dieter Hochuli from the University of Sydney said it isn’t just the well-known species, such as kangaroos and koalas, that are at risk. Insects that are key to services like pollination and nutrient cycling also suffered massive losses, and it is not clear how those populations and ecosystems will recover. In addition, many rare plant species are feared to have disappeared completely.
“’Fire is a natural part of Australian ecosystems and many of our plants and animals are adapted to it,’ Hochuli said. ‘However, changes to the frequency and intensity of fires can have a massive impact on wildlife. We know that risk of extinction increases exponentially as populations decline to low numbers so this raises significant concerns for their future.’
“Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Services told Reuters that services typically advise against feeding wild animals. However, the inferno has prompted them to change their advice. They’re now encouraging people to provide wildlife with much-needed food and water.
“Australia’s wildfire season may already be the worst on record, with record-breaking heatwaves and intense smoke, which doctors have deemed a ‘public health emergency.’ Many residents are protesting conservative Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s lack of sufficient action against climate change after he reportedly rejected calls last month to downsize Australia’s lucrative coal industry.
“’The compelling issue here is climate change,’ said Sydney Mayor Clover Moore. ‘Yes, Australia is burning and national parks and our native animals are being decimated and our communities are being devastated. People have lost homes. People have died. Firefighters have been killed defending communities, most recently last night.’”
“Associate Professor Dieter Hochuli from the University of Sydney said it isn’t just the well-known species, such as kangaroos and koalas, that are at risk. Insects that are key to services like pollination and nutrient cycling also suffered massive losses, and it is not clear how those populations and ecosystems will recover. In addition, many rare plant species are feared to have disappeared completely.
“’Fire is a natural part of Australian ecosystems and many of our plants and animals are adapted to it,’ Hochuli said. ‘However, changes to the frequency and intensity of fires can have a massive impact on wildlife. We know that risk of extinction increases exponentially as populations decline to low numbers so this raises significant concerns for their future.’
“Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Services told Reuters that services typically advise against feeding wild animals. However, the inferno has prompted them to change their advice. They’re now encouraging people to provide wildlife with much-needed food and water.
“Australia’s wildfire season may already be the worst on record, with record-breaking heatwaves and intense smoke, which doctors have deemed a ‘public health emergency.’ Many residents are protesting conservative Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s lack of sufficient action against climate change after he reportedly rejected calls last month to downsize Australia’s lucrative coal industry.
“’The compelling issue here is climate change,’ said Sydney Mayor Clover Moore. ‘Yes, Australia is burning and national parks and our native animals are being decimated and our communities are being devastated. People have lost homes. People have died. Firefighters have been killed defending communities, most recently last night.’”
cont.