Tigers and Polar Bears Are Highly Vulnerable to Environmental Change

According to a recent study, larger predators, like tigers and polar bears, are more greatly affected by environmental changes versus smaller animals. This is because these predators have to work so much harder just to find their next meal. Scientists have determined that these predators have experienced a much greater decline in their population because of the dwindling food supplies, unlike the smaller species like weasels and badgers. In the journal Biology Letters, researchers found that because animals like lions and tigers, are so big, they need more food to fuel to their large bodies and this is why these animals are so vulnerable. These species are designed to hunt large prey, but when food becomes scarce, these large species struggle for survival. This is because a predator is working much harder to find its prey, but it is not getting the proper caloric intake for survival. Dr. Stephens from Durham University stated that, "the largest species exhibited a five to six fold greater decrease in relative abundance in response to a decrease in their prey. It's hard work being a large predator roaming and hunting across extensive areas to find food. The apparent vulnerability of tigers and polar bears to reductions in the availability of prey may be linked to the energetic costs of being a large carnivore." This research has led to important discoveries to help conserve the larger species that are the most vulnerable to environmental changes. Dr. Carbone from the Zoological Society of London concluded that this research is helping to stress the importance of protecting and conserving habitat and prey of carnivores. Dr. Stephans also added that this study stresses that scientists need to do more research when it comes to aiding conservation and how much more humans need to learn about the delicate relationship between predators and their prey.
This is important because it shows how the lack of sufficient food for carnivores is negatively affecting the wildlife as a whole. If the larger species become extinct, the entire food chain will be thrown through a loop. Without larger species controlling the populations of the smaller species, the smaller species could potentially make other things become extinct, such as other species and certain plants. This chain reaction is vicious and could be deadly to many plant and animal species. Scientists need to figure out how to ensure the survival of lions, tigers, and polar bears in order to allow the food chain to stay intact. Technically speaking, becoming overrun with smaller species could negatively affect the human species and create a much larger problem. All species are needed to ensure that the planet runs smoothly.

By: Rebecca Robinson