Hydrurga leptonyx, also known as leopard seals, are incredible creatures that possess traits of survival and adaptability. Their widespread residency throughout the Antarctic and some parts north of that combined with their diversified eating habits places them highly in marine mammals as a potential species to survive environmental changes. This essay connects an understanding of the population and foraging ecology of Hydrurga leptonyx with their future existence in relation to climate change. Currently, leopard seals are stated as a least concern in the Red List category, however the daunting effects of climate change may expedite a shift towards concern for these species (Hückstädt, 2015).
Leopard seals have a circumpolar distribution with …show more content…
Over the past 50 years, the western Antarctic Peninsula region has had rapidly changed climate, with increasing annual mean temperatures rising by 3°C and 6°C for winter mean temperatures (Meade et al., 2015). Although it is noted that species have adapted to differing migration patterns caused by changing environmental conditions, these changes were at a rate that was adaptable for species to succeed. There is hesitation whether marine mammals will be able to adapt to the rate of effects caused by climate change (Learmonth et al., 2006). Still, it is widely regarded that climate change will have a relatively minor impact on leopard seals due to their diversity in diet and ability to adapt in various environments (Meade et al., 2015). Research has stated that the potential effects of climate change for the Hydrurga leptonyx is labeled as questionable, rather than questionable plus an almost guaranteed decrease in population for other marine mammals (Learmonth et al., 2006). Nonetheless, leopard seals rely on ice for most of their life-history such as resting, breeding, and moulting, and are incredibly sensitive to shifts in the physical and biological environment of their sea-ice (Siniff et al., 2008; Meade et al., …show more content…
There are various other threats, such as pollution, habitat destruction, noise, and by-catch. Additionally, humans have gained an increased opportunity to exploit these species indirectly by gaining further access to reach them, as mentioned earlier with commercial fishing. The primary, theoretical method to halt human interaction would be to assist adapting marine mammals to their contemporary environments by managing the impact humans have on the resources required by these species through an ecosystem-based management. One method would be to locate marine protected areas, also known as no-take zones, to protect marine mammals and their prey. However, the designated area may change over time due to climate change, and newly adjusted legislation will be required. As a result, a level of flexibility in any attempt to establish no-take zones for marine mammals is required as potential shifts in their environments are likely to occur. Ultimately, conservation and protective measure may not solve the plethora of problems that leopard seals face due to climate change. Therefore, the interruption of greenhouse gases to prevent an increase in temperature may be the only viable solution (Learmonth et al.,
Leopard seals have a circumpolar distribution with …show more content…
Over the past 50 years, the western Antarctic Peninsula region has had rapidly changed climate, with increasing annual mean temperatures rising by 3°C and 6°C for winter mean temperatures (Meade et al., 2015). Although it is noted that species have adapted to differing migration patterns caused by changing environmental conditions, these changes were at a rate that was adaptable for species to succeed. There is hesitation whether marine mammals will be able to adapt to the rate of effects caused by climate change (Learmonth et al., 2006). Still, it is widely regarded that climate change will have a relatively minor impact on leopard seals due to their diversity in diet and ability to adapt in various environments (Meade et al., 2015). Research has stated that the potential effects of climate change for the Hydrurga leptonyx is labeled as questionable, rather than questionable plus an almost guaranteed decrease in population for other marine mammals (Learmonth et al., 2006). Nonetheless, leopard seals rely on ice for most of their life-history such as resting, breeding, and moulting, and are incredibly sensitive to shifts in the physical and biological environment of their sea-ice (Siniff et al., 2008; Meade et al., …show more content…
There are various other threats, such as pollution, habitat destruction, noise, and by-catch. Additionally, humans have gained an increased opportunity to exploit these species indirectly by gaining further access to reach them, as mentioned earlier with commercial fishing. The primary, theoretical method to halt human interaction would be to assist adapting marine mammals to their contemporary environments by managing the impact humans have on the resources required by these species through an ecosystem-based management. One method would be to locate marine protected areas, also known as no-take zones, to protect marine mammals and their prey. However, the designated area may change over time due to climate change, and newly adjusted legislation will be required. As a result, a level of flexibility in any attempt to establish no-take zones for marine mammals is required as potential shifts in their environments are likely to occur. Ultimately, conservation and protective measure may not solve the plethora of problems that leopard seals face due to climate change. Therefore, the interruption of greenhouse gases to prevent an increase in temperature may be the only viable solution (Learmonth et al.,