FReepmail me to get on or off
Click pn POGW graphic for full GW rundown
Ping me if you find one I've missed.
Science related
Posted on 03/01/2007 5:52:58 PM PST by blam
Source: American Institute of Biological Sciences
Date: March 2, 2007
Improved Predictions Of Warming-induced Extinctions Sought; Species Persist More Than Models Assume, Researchers Say
Science Daily — In the March 2007 issue of BioScience, an international team of 19 researchers calls for better forecasting of the effects of global warming on extinction rates. The researchers, led by Daniel B. Botkin, note that although current mathematical models indicate that many species could be at risk from global warming, surprisingly few species became extinct during the past 2.5 million years, a period encompassing several ice ages.
They suggest that this "Quaternary conundrum" arises because the models fail to take adequate account of the mechanisms by which species persist in adverse conditions. Consequently, the researchers "believe that current projections of extinction rates are overestimates." A critical review of the four types of model now in common use leads the team to identify various simplifying assumptions in the models that can lead to biases.
The authors make eight recommendations for improving forecasts of extinction rates under global warming. The recommendations cover a wide range, from clarifying the definition of biodiversity to improving existing models and developing better ones. They include, for example, the suggestion that current models need to be more rigorously tested, that explanations of extinction other than climate change need to be more thoroughly considered, and that better data should be brought to bear on the problem, especially information from the fossil record of Quaternary ice ages.
The authors acknowledge, however, that they do not fully understand why so many species persisted during these ice ages, and caution that some genetic research suggests that species might in fact be more vulnerable than the fossil record indicates.
BioScience publishes commentary and peer-reviewed articles covering a wide range of biological fields, with a focus on "Organisms from Molecules to the Environment." The journal has been published since 1964 by the American Institute of Biological Sciences, an umbrella organization for professional scientific societies and organizations that are involved with biology. It represents some 200 member societies and organizations with a combined membership of about 250,000.
Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by American Institute of Biological Sciences.
Click pn POGW graphic for full GW rundown
Ping me if you find one I've missed.
Regrettably, no environmental change would lead to the extinction of environmentalists. He who said that the cockroaches are the most resilient species, was wrong.
I thought it was supposed to be 100%, right, Al?
Which begs the question: are environmentalist cockroaches?
The natural global warming cycle benefit many species - humans being just one of them. Do the Ecophobes think that species would fair better in an ice age?
"The authors acknowledge, however, that they do not fully understand why so many species persisted during these ice ages"
I guess they never learned the meaning of "adaptation".
Evolution is the constant changing of species to adapt to changing environment. The world will survive climate changes, just as things tomorrow will always be different than yesterday.
Global warming alarmists are worried about preserving things as they are today, when tomorrow could always be better depending on who is on top of their game.
Maybe they should work on improving the models used for global warming, first. Then, maybe they wouldn't have to look for reasons that their models didn't work. I have to wonder if these are real scientists, or are they feminist scientists who believe that science is just another metanarrative to be deconstructed and reconstructed at will.
What idiots! There is no conundrum, creatures migrate on an annual basis to avoid unpleasant weather conditions. Did these fools think that creatures wouldn't adapt or move as things warmed up over tens or hundreds of years?
Golly gee!
And don't forget, the Associated Press tells us that 218 people have been killed on the nation's highways, the National Safety Council expects a total of 500...YOU'RE NOT TRYING FRIENDS!!!
I just love computer models. ;')
Computer Model for ya...
related:
Report Challenges Common Ecological Assumption About Species Abundance
PhysOrg | October 4, 2006 | Duke University
Posted on 11/04/2006 12:44:54 AM EST by SunkenCiv
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1732028/posts
For their analysis, the authors reviewed not only published studies but also some new sets of data that they had compiled from field observations in a number of coastal locations of such invertebrate species as sea urchins, sea anemones and snails. They found that most of the studies showed that patterns of abundance were affected by a complex interplay of environmental, physical, biological, genetic and geographical factors that the abundant-center hypothesis failed to take into account.
sea urchins, sea anemones and snails most affected...when food is scarce, even an invertebrate moves elsewhere...I think it's called adaptation.
Imagine the ease with which a sea star could carry home some take-out food...
Crown-of-thorns can evert their stomach to feed on coral Photo: AIMS
they have been munching their way through the beautiful coral on the Great Barrier Reef, the little varmints!
We hit a reef. Huge son-of-a-bitch. Ran the whole coast.
- Great Barrier Reef?
- You heard of it? Smart lady.
who's the flotsam with beeds in it's hair?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
