How often do you think about the action being taken to provide justice to the animals that are continuously being displaced due to climate change?
An article in the Chicago Tribune states that many fox species have been seen in urban areas due to pressure in the forests and woodlands. Fox living in hotter cities tend to have less access to vegetation which makes the struggle for survival even more apparent. Still, the red fox, and other fox species, press on to find more sustainable climates.
The Climate Change Exhibition in the Museum of Natural History predicts the impact the very adaptable red fox may have on the arctic fox. As the arctic warms, it provides more sources of food, which is appealing to the red fox. In past years the tundra would have been too hostile for the red fox to survive as their longer limbs cause them to lose heat much faster. With the temperature in the arctic rising it is more hospitable to the red fox. No one knows if the red fox and arctic fox can coexist but in some areas the number of arctic fox decreases as the number of red fox increases. It seems as though the only place the arctic fox would be unthreatened is Greenland where red fox are rare.
Michigan places great significance on protecting biodiversity and preserving endangered and threatened species. There is a constantly growing demand for sustaining landscapes that provide ample food and shelter for these constantly acclimating animals.
Unfortunately, the red fox isn't the only animal moving north. As the arctic melts and water and temperatures rise, animals are displaced. The red fox happens to be my favorite North American wild animal and as selfish as it sounds, it would be great to keep them where I can enjoy them. As long as they're benefitted by the environment and the environment benefits from them.
Amazing post! I really liked how you focused on the red fox and made a point that moving into hotter cities can greatly affect the vegetation for these beautiful animals. Its very scary to think that these poor innocent beings are forced to leave their homes due to a human caused issue.
ReplyDeleteI agree! I have been seeing more and more of them where I live. In the past they were always so much more illusive.
DeleteIsn't that crazy? When we were younger it was a rarity to see these animals, now they are in our habitats as theirs are being destroyed on a daily basis.
DeleteI saw one in my neighborhood (there are woods near by) a couple of years ago. It made a strong impression on me. I can see why you like them so much, Liz. All plants and animals have to go north or up, and that is going to be hard to pull off.
DeleteI like that you chose a topic from Michigan, very relatable. It's a shame how forests are getting destroyed and forcing the foxes out of their homes and into our roads and cities.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Michigan is home to so much biodiversity. It would be a shame to ignore what is happening in our very own state.
DeleteIt is interesting to hear about biodiversity loss in our own state and what this means for Michigan. Losing our native inhabitants such as the Red Fox is changing what makes this state what it is.
ReplyDeleteI agree! It is also alarming for the Arctic Fox and their future as well. I was surprised by the information I was finding as I researched it.
DeleteHow interesting would it be to see a fox in Chicago! That surprised me a lot. It is unfortunate that these foxes are having to travel so far.
ReplyDeleteI can't even imagine it! I have seen coyotes in the city but never a fox. They're always so secretive and shy. It's amazing how the change in climate can change their natural instincts.
DeleteWow, interesting to hear this is happening all around us in Michigan. It's so fascinating to see how the red foxes navigate these changes. It's definitely sad that climate change has caused these foxes to travel so far.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't believe it! It's so sad to think the Arctic Fox is going to suffer as well!
DeleteNice post! The focus on one species allows for a greater depth of investigation of statistics and facts. I hadn't realized just how far many species will travel in the course of ten years. It doesn't seem that far, but when its the entire range of a species shifting, that's significant.
ReplyDeleteThat surprised me too. The websites attached go into much more detail about it but it can make you wonder how far it's going to go for some species..
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ReplyDeleteAs humans, we have a responsibility to protect and fight for animals' rights. It is sad that we live in a world where animals are now doing things in places they shouldn't be because of pollution and damage to the environment. We have seen a wide range of animals migrating and moving to places they shouldn't be.
ReplyDeleteThis is so striking to me. I don't recall seeing a lot of red fox's in my hometown of Detroit, but in recent years I have seen them increasingly as roadkill, or hiding in local parks and crossing streets. I can tell that the northern push is happening, and their traditional homes are not sustainable to keep them alive. Migration patterns are such a good way of telling which parts of Earth are hot spots for climate change disaster. Animals are communicating with the world and warning us of what's to come.
ReplyDeleteWe talk so much about climate migrants but I never considered how animals must be migrating too! It really is heartbreaking to think how drastically these beautiful creatures are being affected.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to hear about such an innocent creature reaping the negative side effects of our own grave mistakes over decades. Foxes are such beautiful and fascinating creature, one you never think could end up on the endangered list but if we keep messing around all of the animals could, including us. I love that you focused on one animal and really told its story in a meaningful way.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the link to The Nature Conservancy! I am interested in learning more about carbon credits, specifically how the funds are distributed. I have never heard of acclimated animals before; I really like it! I wonder if more species currently in Michigan could be considered acclimated species rather than invasive or introduced species.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting post! I've learned little about climate migration, but I never thought of it to this degree where we start noticing these animals in urban areas. The red fox species is a very interesting example of this, and I only wonder what other examples of species may show this behavior and how it will begin to effect the evolution and adaptability of species overtime as temperatures begin to grow.
ReplyDeleteI found this blog super interesting and have never heard of these migrations. Learning that animals like the red fox are migrating these large distances and in turn, creating competition for resources in other areas threatening other species' way of life is a very scary and damning consequence of climate change. I wonder what other species will be threatened or forced to migrate if the Earth continues to get hotter.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great example of how climate change can affect specific species. Everything in an ecosystem is connected, and the loss of foxes will probably have some cascading effect on the other populations around here as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is such an interesting topic to discuss. I wonder what the statistics look like on animals that are displaced. In what ways do these animals look for a new home? How do they know when it is time to leave? This is kind of trying to get into the mind of an animal, which we cannot do. But it is interesting to say the least.
ReplyDeleteIt is disheartening to think about the amount of wildlife that are displaced from their natural habitats as a result of climate change, as these situations can have severe effects on the environment and the animals themselves such as an imbalance in prey/hunter populations and less than ideal habitats and climates for some displaced animals
ReplyDeleteIt's such a crazy thing to think about climate change doesn't just effect us but everything on the earth as well seeing how these foxes had to leave there homes for a better suited environment is a sad and crazy thing to wrap my head around
ReplyDeleteIt's concerning to see how rising temperatures and flooding are forcing these adaptable animals to migrate north, affecting their survival and the ecosystems they inhabit.
ReplyDeleteThis is such an interesting post! I feel like we often get caught up in how we as humans are affected by climate change that we forget to address the other species that are impacted. Your focus on the red fox makes me curious as to how other species adapt to rising temperatures and the heightened frequency and intensity of extreme weather
ReplyDeleteI can completely understand wanting to see your favorite animals more often! I love birds and the ones that don't come around anymore is so disappointing. I thought it was so interesting that the arctic fox species decreases as the red one increases. I did my post on endangered species and it's so sad to know how much damage we are doing.
ReplyDeleteThe displacement of animals like the red fox due to climate change highlights the urgent need for sustainable conservation efforts to protect biodiversity and ensure these species can adapt to shifting environments.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Liz! It’s crazy how climate change is pushing red foxes north. Are there efforts to help them adapt without harming other species? Would love to hear more!
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