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A UK study of more than 700 species plants, plankton, insects, fish, birds and mammals in terms of changes in the timing of their life events (phenology) has revealed that spring and summer are starting earlier (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/feb/09/wildlife-climate-change) so far as most organisms are concerned. The earlier emergence of flowers, time of egg laying, first recorded flights etc seem to be accelerating, especially in organisms lower down the food chain. The changes have (in spite of the unseasonally cold weather prevailing in the UK presently) been linked to 'global warming'. A concern is that the time disruptions may impair survival in some key organisms (this might be especially so as wether becomes less predictable).
2 comments:
Yes, like strongly 'hard-wired' migratory species like the Eastern Bar-Tailed Godwit that leaves New Zealand based on day length... and one day will arrive in Alaska to find all the Crane-Fly larvae have already become imagoes.
It does seem to be a problem especially for species near the top of the food chain
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