BURNING QUESTION: CAN RHINO TAKE THE HEAT?
A frica’s iconic megafauna is under increasing threat from the global climate crisis. As temperatures across the continent continue to rise, many species find their survival in the balance. Among the most vulnerable are Africa’s two rhino species - the black and white rhino. Due to their unique physiology, rhinos face heightened risks from rising heat that other animals are better equipped to withstand. Unlike elephants that use their large ears to cool off, rhinos cannot sweat to thermoregulate effectively. Their cooling strategies include drinking more water, wallowing, and seeking shade. But what does this mean in a warming world? Studying future climate scenarios, researchers, including Timothy O. Randhir from the Department of Environmental Conservation at the University of Massachusetts, used the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change’s Representative Concentration Pathways models. These standard tools forecast how increasing carbon dioxide will affect global warming. RCP 4.5 predicts a 2.4°C temperature rise by 2100 with moderate greenhouse gas levels. However, RCP 8.5 envisions the worst case - escalating human population and coal use with no emissions cuts, leading to potentially catastrophic warming. Over the past century, Africa has already warmed 0.5–2°C. Climate change effects for the continent include increased drought risk in southern Africa along with more extreme weather. But what does this mean for rhino habitats within protected areas? The research analysed the Kruger National Park in South Africa and other parks home to rhinos across the savannah. Historical climate baselines from 1975–1990 provided a reference to project temperature and rainfall shifts
for parks under RCP 4.5 and 8.5 through mid and late this century. All parks face rising heat, varying significantly between locations. Etosha and Hwange National Parks experience the most disturbing combinations of intensifying drought and soaring temperatures, potentially rendering Etosha uninhabitable for rhinos. Under the most severe warming scenario, temperatures may surge by 5.1°C in Etosha and more than 4°C in other reserves by the late century. For black rhinos, optimal conditions include mean annual temperatures of 17–22°C with adequate moisture. White rhinos prefer over 400mm of rainfall annually. Under the onslaught of climate change, many parks will exceed rhinos’ tolerance thresholds, according to the models. At current emission trends, southern white rhinos may disappear from Kruger by 2036, according to the
researchers. If we do nothing to change the situation, climate change could drive rhinos to total extinction across southern Africa by 2085. Understanding how climate change and land use impact biodiversity enables effective conservation planning. Projecting species habitat suitability under future conditions allows proactive management. By integrating rhino occurrence records with climate projections, researchers delineated temperature and rainfall requirements for the species. This vital information sheds light on adapting strategies to secure Africa’s rhinos facing escalating environmental threats. We require urgent emission reductions and targeted on- the-ground efforts to safeguard these iconic creatures.
UNCOVERING THE MYSTERIES OF THE DEEP
Chaunacops (in the sea toad family) at 1 388.65 meters inside the Nazca- Desventuradas Marine Park. Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute
Falkor research vessel. Credit: Alex Ingle/Schmidt Ocean Institute
I n the depths of our vast oceans lie mysteries waiting to be unveiled, with much of the underwater world unexplored. As a result, it is no surprise that scientists are still discovering new species. It was the case when an international group of scientists returned from an expedition, exploring deep-sea ecosystems off the coast of Chile between January and February 2024. They discovered more than 100 species potentially new to science, making a compelling case for protection. The expedition comprised experts from institutions that included the Schmidt Ocean Institute, Universidad Católica del Norte, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. They explored seamounts and underwater mountains along the Nazca and Salas y Gómez Ridge, a 2 900- kilometer-long underwater mountain chain comprising more than 200 seamounts stretching from offshore Chile to Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island.
“You always expect to find new species in these remote and poorly explored areas, but the amount we found, especially for some groups like sponges, is mind- blowing,” said Dr Javier Sellanes from the Universidad Católica del Norte. Species found during the expedition ranged from the rare cactus urchins about half a meter tall to squat lobsters with spiky shells and beady eyes. Among the discoveries are ancient corals, dating back thousands of years, alongside translucent “glass” squids and potentially 30 new species of sea sponges. Researchers also found a bright red fish using its fins like limbs to move across the sea floor. The team covered an area of more than 52 777 square kilometres using underwater robots capable of descending more 4 500 meters under the surface. They explored 10 seamounts, some of them for the first time. The tallest of these peaks, provisionally named Solito, reaches
3 530 meters, and scientists explored it for the first time during the voyage.
Scientists said the abundance and diversity of life observed in the region’s marine protected areas indicate that they safeguard deep-sea habitats effectively. Schmidt Ocean Institute executive director Dr Jyotika Virmani noted the region is an “amazingly beautiful and little-known biodiversity hotspot” that is contributing discoveries to global efforts to document the ocean’s wealth of undiscovered species. Scientists argue that the Salas y Gómez and Nazca ridges’ exceptional biodiversity offer a unique opportunity for conservation. While Chile and Peru have established marine protected areas in this region, the marine protected areas do not protect all of them.
Oblong Dermechinus urchins found at 516 meters. Credit: ROV SuBastian/ Schmidt Ocean Institute
Rare whiplash squid (Mastigopsis hjorti) documented at 1 105 meters. Credit: ROV SuBastian/Schmidt
20
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting