Squids and Climate Change
We often hear about all of the different creatures out there negatively affected by climate change and global warming. However, there are actually some including the squid which seem to benefit from it. There has been a great deal of research relating to their survival as the warmer temperatures are introduced. Global warming has been a problem for a long time and so identifying how it affects particular creatures is important.
For example their bodies are able to process food easier when the water is warmer. As a result the squid will grow to be larger than otherwise. This is going to be significant in their ability to survive overall out there against predators. The smaller a squid is the more likely it will be consumed. This can lead to more squid due to them becoming mature and having offspring before they become food for something else.
Climate change though can also result in squid becoming more of a food source for other animals than in the past. See, their natural habitat may be destroyed so they are out there trying to survive where they can. At the same time they may been seeking food and needing to consume what they can. Squid may be what they find due to how well the adapt to these changing temperatures. They may stay in these new locations where there are plenty of squid for them to continually feed on.
Others though believe that squid populations will continue to increase due to climate change. They also worry though that there will be too many of them to be able to survive on the amount of food that is readily available for them. This can lead to large numbers of them dying off due to starvation. It can also reduce the value of the genetic pool because those that do survive many not get adequate nutrition. As a result the survival of these different squid species as a whole may be reduced.
However, there is research to indicate that the climate change can affect reproduction rates. The squid will spawn in given locations at certain times of the year. Climate change may affect their ability to do so because their natural instincts become confused by what it taking place. Therefore they may end up not taking part in it. Since a single female can lay thousands of eggs at a time this is going to be a concern.
If the water is too warm it can cause the females to take part in offshore mating instead of the spawning process where she can attract the male with the best genetics. If the water is too cold they may not engage in the behavior at all though. This is because their bodies may not deem it as time to do so.
There is still a great deal of research that has to be done though in order to accurately determine how climate change is going to effect squid populations. What we do know is that it does adversely affect many other animals in the water. Therefore efforts to be able to eliminate global warming and climate change continue to be a top concern of various environmental groups.
You can find out the specific efforts that particular groups are taking part in for the conservation of squid online. You can also find out how you can reduce the future effects of climate change from causing them and other animals harm. Humans need to realize how their efforts can upset the balance of aquatic life. This is just one more way to get yourself involved and to feel good about the efforts you make to make the world a better place.
