The Effects of Climate Change on Marine Mammals

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The Effects of Climate Change on Marine Mammals

• Timothy J. Ragen, Ph.D.
• U.S. Marine Mammal Commission

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Conclusions

• Effects - Ecological and human-related
• Consequences - Beneficial to catastrophic
• Options - only prevention for ecological effects
• Subsistence cultures?
• Climate change is not the problem

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Marine Mammals Involved

• Polar bear
• Walrus
• Bowhead whale
• Ringed seal

• Bearded seal
• Narwhal
• Beluga whale

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Ecological Effects
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Ecological effects
Management
Effect
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Human Effects
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Population status
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Determining factors

• Specificity or plasticity
• Reliance on ice (avoid predators, find prey)
• Change in ecosystem structure
• Vulnerability to disease
• 5) Extent to which human activities increase

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Subsistence Cultures

• Effects - Ecological and human-related
• Consequences - Beneficial to catastrophic
• Options - only prevention for ecological effects
• Will traditions persist?
• Climate change is not the problem

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Is it just climate change?

• World population 6.5 billion and counting
• U.S. population to 420 million by 2050
• DOT - Shipping to double 2000 2020
• DOE - Energy demands up 71 by 2030
• Dead Zones doubling by 2020
• Where are we headed?

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Is it climate change
or
is it us?
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