Threat to Chincoteague/Climate Change (Continued)

What are People Doing to Help?

The Threat of Climate Change to Chincoteague(Continued)

Symbiosis 1. The red-tailed hawk and the rat snake have a symbiotic relationship because the hawk eats the snakes, but doesn't help the snakes in any way. 2. The red fox and Delmarva peninsula fox squirrel have a symbiotic relationship because the fox eats the squirrel, but doesn't help the sqirrels in any way.

Inter-dependence One example of inter-dependence is betwen the ponies and the marsh grasses. The marsh grass gives the ponies energy, and the ponies fertelize the soil, helping the grasses grow. Another example is between the ite-tailed deer and sika elk. They eat the same food, and keep each other's population in check, because of the small amount of food that can be on a small island like Choncoteague. Without the other, one's population would spike, because of more food, then crash, due to lack of food.

Black rat snake (Elpahe obsoleta obsoleta) http://www.outdooralabama/watchable-wildlife/what/wildlife/snakes/ratsnake.cfm

Red Tailed Hawk http://ecologyadventure.edublogs.org/species/birds/red-tailed-hawk/

Seabeach Amaranth http://www.fws.gov/northeast/chinco/images/endangered/SeabeachAmaranthPlant.jpg

The Red Fox http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/plants_wildlife/Red-Fox.asp

Delmarva peninsula fox squirrel http://www.dnr.state.md.us/mydnr/CreatureFeature/delmarvafoxsquirrel.asp

Field mouse www.photo-dictionary.com/phrase/4867/wild-field-mouse.html#b

The sad truth is... Even though the threat of climate change, specifically rising sea levels, is very significant to Chincoteague, officials and organizations are not doing anything about it. There aren't many things they can do to stop the rising ocean, but community, and national leaders won't even give the issue a glance.

Possible Solutions There aren't any simple solutions to stop rising seas, because whatever people try to do is destroyed by the sea. The only way to stop, or slow the rising ocean is to lower greenhouse gas emissions. People can do that by driving less, or switching to hybrid cars. If people use less electricity in their homes, power companies won't have to burn as much coal, and there would be less greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, dramatically slowing climate change, and rising sea levels.

Some (not so fun) facts1. The shape and appeaance of the coastline have been significantly changed due to rising seas. 2. Algae blooms ae happening more and more often, due to the ocean being wamer. These blooms have a devastating effect on Chincoteague's marine life.3. Just like almost everywhere else in the country, Chincoteague is experiencing record highs, most likely due to the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Bibliography

Chincoteague Pony www.adorableponies.pinterest.com/chincoteague

Pictures

Websites

http://www.fws.gov/northeast/chinco/index.html

http://www.chincoteaguereports.com

http://weather.com