Climate change and habitat loss are threatening approximately one million species across the globe, and causing unprecedented threats to the survival of the ecosystems that support life on our planet. Dire warnings about the global climate crisis have been issues by scientists and experts. Recent reports include:
Another very informative report specific to the Columbia Basin is the 2007 Independent Scientific Advisory Review Board report on Climate Change Impacts on Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife, which you can read here. This report provides an overview of climate change-related impacts to ecosystems and species in eastern Oregon and the Columbia River Basin at large, and includes issues such as the likely extreme habitat loss for Bull trout, steelhead, and salmon.
We at Blue Mountains Biodiversity Project are alarmed at what we see on the ground during our field survey work in terms of habitat loss from the combined effects of climate change, logging, roads, and livestock grazing. We’ve created a slideshow which summarizes some of the issues. We’ve also posted more in-depth reviews of literature on the threats to forests and streams from climate change, logging under the guise of ‘fuel reduction’, and other issues such as excessive road densities.
BMBP works to stop the degradation or destruction of high-quality wildlife habitats, preserve core habitats and connectivity corridors, and combat climate change. Please join us by volunteering with BMBP, or donating to support our work. Thank you!