A new report by the WWF says that Scotland's wildlife is at risk from climate change. Rising global temperatures caused by climate change, could put Scotland's wildlife at risk.
What is at risk due to climate change is Scottish wildlife species, and the habitats they live in.
This could result in climate change damaging habitats within the country, while also having a negative effect of several wildlife species. There are several species which could be affected by climate change: including the endangered capercaillie.
The capercaillie is one of Scotland's most endangered animals; and one of their most endangered birds. The capercaillie population has been declining over recent years - these birds have declined to just 1,114 individuals existing in the wild today.
Why Are They Declining?
One of the main reasons that this birds population has been declining: is due to habitat loss. The destruction of this birds home in Scotland, has been one of the main reasons for this birds decline. Habitat destruction is one of the contributing factors of climate change also. If habitats are destroyed, then climate change is made worse. Therefore, preserving habitats like forests is essential to tackling climate change.
Other Birds Threatened
The capercaillie is not the only bird species which is threatened with climate change in Scotland, another bird species which is threatened is the snow bunting. The WWF reports that the snow bunting is also effected by climate change. The snow bunting is at risk because of rising temperatures - rising global temperatures means that there is less snow, which also means that these little birds have nowhere to go. This would mean that they would inevitably become extinct.
The Threat To Scotland's Dolphins
The snow bunting is not the only animal which could be pushed out due to rising temperatures, other animals which could be effected are dolphins. One specific dolphin which is at risk, according to the WWF, is the white beaked dolphin.
The white beaked dolphin is found in the north Atlantic Ocean. However, with rising sea temperatures, caused by global warming, this could push these animals out of the north Atlantic Ocean further north, and out of Scotland's waters.
The Threat To Atlantic Salmon
The beaked dolphin is not the only marine animal species which is at risk of rising sea temperatures, another species which is at risk, is Atlantic salmon. Rising temperatures could also affect this animal and the food which they live on.
The Habitats At Risk
Animals are not the only ones at risk due to climate change in Scotland; habitats are also at risk, which affects all of us: both humans and animals. The WWF report names two specific habitats which will be affected: machair and moorlands.
The machair habitat is unique to Scotland; as it is found nowhere in the world. It is an under water grassy habitat, which is at risk due to rising sea temperatures.
On land, however, it is moorlands that are at risk. Moorlands are already changing and being affected by climate change. But, there is a further risk to this habitat with climate change: as the biodiversity of this habitat is at risk of being eroded in the future.
What Can Be Done?
There are two main things that can be done to prevent this from becoming Scotland's future. And those two things are interlinked. The first thing is in Scotland doing more to prevent climate change. And, the second thing, is for Scotland to preserve its last remaining habitats, not just to prevent climate change, but also because animals have as much right to live on this planet as we do.