| USA. Global warming jeopardizes Merritt Island National Wildlife refuge |
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| Thursday, 05 October 2006 | |
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Environmental news: The low-lying nature of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) makes it especially vulnerable to the effects of global warming, as rising sea levels could potentially inundate much of the refuge, according to a new report released today by Defenders of Wildlife. Merritt Island NWR is one of 10 refuges profiled in Refuges at Risk: The Threat of Global Warming, America's Ten Most Endangered National Wildlife Refuges 2006, released in advance of National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 8- 14. Situated on Florida's Atlantic coast and sharing an island with the Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island NWR plays host to osprey, blue herons, mockingbirds, bald eagles, pelicans, storks, ducks and more than 300 other species of birds. West Indian manatees and loggerhead turtles call the refuge home, as do 13 other threatened and endangered species. "Global warming threatens Merritt Island and the well-being of the wildlife that lives there," stated Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife. "Rising sea levels threaten its coastal marshes and higher water temperatures contribute to an increase in toxic algal blooms which can harm manatees and other sea life. We owe it to the American people to begin planning to protect this refuge and the other places Americans cherish from changes wrought by global warming." The changing climate poses a huge challenge for those in charge of managing the refuge system. Defenders' report offers a two-pronged approach to dealing with the impacts of these changes including steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and initiatives to help plan for the changes global warming will inevitably bring to these vital areas. "The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is charged with preserving and protecting the refuge system and needs to take immediate steps to deal with the damage caused by global warming," declared Schlickeisen. "By implementing more energy efficient practices, expanding partnerships, exploring new initiatives to reduce greenhouse gases and developing comprehensive plans that address global warming, the Service and our refuge system will be better prepared to meet the challenges ahead." The report specifically suggests the Service consider the effects of global warming-related impacts such as rising sea levels, habitat shifts and the increasing intensity of hurricanes and other weather patterns. The National Wildlife Refuge System contains 545 refuges and covers nearly 100 million acres in all 50 states and five territories, providing some of this nation's most spectacular landscapes and supporting an amazing variety of wildlife -- from migratory birds to bighorn sheep, ocelots and caribou -- as well as many endangered and threatened species. Almost 40 million people visit refuges each year to view wildlife and enjoy outdoor experiences. Defenders of Wildlife works with federal, tribal, state and local agencies, private organizations and landowners to protect America's national wildlife refuges. The goal of the Refuges at Risk report is to highlight the threats facing the wildlife refuge system in order to build public support for saving wildlife by safeguarding and nourishing the places where they live. |
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 05 October 2006 ) |
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