TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: The North Atlantic right whale, a critically endangered species, is facing a new threat as it is discovered to be shrinking in size, leading to severe consequences for its population.
EXPLANATION:
- A recent study published in the Royal Society Open Science reveals a concerning trend among North Atlantic right whales.
- Researchers from the University of St Andrews analyzed data spanning five decades (1970-2020) collected by the North Atlantic right whale consortium.
- The study highlights a correlation between the decreasing body size of female whales and a decline in their ability to give birth.
- Smaller females were found to have fewer calves, suggesting a direct impact of size on reproductive success.
- This phenomenon is linked to climate change and has been identified as a key factor affecting the reproductive abilities of these whales.
Factors Influencing Reproduction:
- The study identified the length cubed of sexually mature female whales as a crucial factor influencing the likelihood of calving.
- Smaller females had a significantly lower probability of giving birth.
- The research emphasized that the length of the whale had a more substantial impact on calving probability than health or other random variables.
- The whales’ ability to accumulate energy reserves, vital for successful reproduction, is compromised as they become smaller.
Climate Change and Nutrient Availability:
- The shrinking size of North Atlantic right whales since 1981 is attributed to stressors, with climate change being a significant contributor.
- While the exact mechanisms are unclear, it is believed that reduced nutrient availability plays a role.
- This phenomenon echoes documented size reductions in both terrestrial and marine species in response to climate change.
Population Status and Urgency for Protection:
- The North Atlantic right whale is the most endangered among its species, with only 356 individuals believed to be alive today.
- The urgency for protection is emphasized by the fact that effective measures are required to prevent their extinction.
- This urgency is further underscored by the low number of calves being born, with only 17 reported in a recent season, far below the 50 needed to halt the species’ decline.
Threats and Conservation Efforts:
- The study aligns with recent events, such as boat strikes and entanglement in fishing gear, contributing to the mortality of North Atlantic right whales.
- Conservation efforts, including speed limits during calving season, have been implemented to protect mothers and calves from boat strikes.
- However, the need for updated rules, especially concerning smaller vessels, is advocated by marine scientists to address the persistent risks these whales face.
North Atlantic right whale:
- These whales are migratory animals, spending the winter in warmer waters and migrating to the poles for cooler waters in late summer.
- These whales inhabit the temperate and subpolar waters of the north Atlantic and north Pacific oceans.
- They are given the conservation status of critically endangered as per IUCN and Appendix I as per CITES.
- Depending on the time of year and which hemisphere they’re found, right whales will spend much of their time near bays and peninsulas and in shallow, coastal waters.
- These are generally restricted to the coastal waters of the East coast of the United States and Canada.
Conclusion:
- The declining size of North Atlantic right whales due to climate change poses a serious threat to their reproductive capabilities and overall survival. Urgent and comprehensive conservation measures are essential to mitigate the impact of human-related threats and ensure the preservation of this critically endangered species. The study underscores the need for ongoing research, adaptive conservation strategies, and international cooperation to address the complex challenges faced by the North Atlantic right whale population.