Threat to Chincoteague/ Climate Change

Red Fox

The Threat of Climate Change to Chincoteague

Climate change is affecting many organisms on Chincoteague by having stronger storms hitting the area more often, causing flooding. The rise in sea level is the most dangerous problem, destroying the ponies' food source, and the habitat of the seabeach amaranth.

Biotic Factors1) Wild Ponies2) White-Tailed Deer3) Red-tailed Hawk4) Atlantic Loggerhead Sea Turtle5) Salt Marsh Grasses (ponies food)

Delmarva peninsula fox squirrel

American Bald Eagle

Chincoteague; you may have heard of it at one point or another, most likely because of the area's most famous residents; the wild ponies. All of the organisms that live in this area, including a few endangered species, are being affected by climate change.

Even some endangered species, such as those below, are threatened.

How is Climate Change Having an Impact?Cliamte Change hurts the ecosystem by causing stronger storms, and rising sea levels. Scientists are saying that the increase in the number of strong storms is because of climate change. Even the East Coast's latest storm, Hurricane Sandy, damaged Chincoteague. The biggest problem with tropical storms is the flooding that they cause, which can severely damage Atlantic islands such as Chincoteague.

Seabeach Amaranth

Abiotic Factors1) Beach/ sand2) Freshwater Areas3) Salt Marshes 4) Amount of Sunlight5) Ocean surrounding the island

Predators1) Red Fox2) Common Raccoon3) Red-Tailed Hawk4) American Bald Eagle

Prey1) Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrel2) Field Mice3) Rat Snake (Prey and Predator)4) Sika Elk

Producers1) Salt Marsh Grass2) Northern Red Oak3) Loblolly Pine4) Seabeach Amaranth

Food Web

Black Rat Snake

Red-Tailed Hawk

Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrel

By: Claudia Di Martini

Field Mouse