The Role of Predators

There is a big dispute right now about who in the food chain has a bigger affect on biodiversity. There are many studies supporting that predators have a big role in keeping species at a fixed amount, or an amount that we are use to. Studies have shown that hunting of sea otters makes tremendous difference in the amount of kelp forest in certain areas. Taking some of these predators out of the picture really can make a difference and imbalance in species in certain areas, one study shows that when there is a loss of great sharks it causes a sudden increase in sting rays, which then causes a sudden decrease in scallop fishery. Researchers have yet to do anything in large scale areas because of having to secure the money and means to do any study of removing the predator.

Second biggest problem?

Europeans believe that climate change is the second worldwide problem next to poverty according to new polls. According to the Eurobarometer poll, 89% of the population considered climate change a serious problem. 68% considered it a very serious problem and 20% considered it the most serious problem. The Eurobarometer poll was a poll taken in June, 2011 and it showed that the European population was more worried about the climate change now then they were to previous years.  The Europeans think that climate change and global warming in one of the Earth's most serious problems today. In class we talk about the serious issues of global warming and how it might affect us or even more the animals.