Climate Changes Effect on Komodo National Park (Part 2)
2.3 Change of Sea Level
The increasing of the mean temperature causes the melting of polar ice caps. The mean sea level in the Jakarta Bay will increase as high as 0.57 centimeters (cm) per year [1].
2.4 Change of CO2 Concentration
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a “greenhouse gas.” It absorbs energy from the Sun and then releases it back into the atmosphere. This “greenhouse effect” keeps the Earth warmer than it would be if this process did not occur. But now the world producing this CO2 more than its needed. This is also leading to the changes of mean temperature.
3. Effect on Komodo National Park
1. Increased sea surface temperature causes coral bleaching and increased mortality of coral polyps, possibly resulting in the loss of biological diversity and ecosystem services that reefs provide.
2. Increased atmospheric CO2 levels modify the concentrations of carbonic acid and bicarbonate ions in the ocean, causing a decrease in carbonate ions necessary for coral calcification, resulting in weaker skeleton frames, reduced growth rate, diminished ability to compete for space on the reef, and increased susceptibility to breakage and bio-erosion.
3. Increased temperature will affect sea turtles nesting as incubation temperature of eggs co-determines the sex of hatchlings. Higher temperatures skew the sex ratio towards a predominance of females hatchlings. A higher fraction of females may enhance the fertility of the sea turtle population, but this beneficial effect will be nullified if nesting opportunities decrease through a loss of nesting beaches due to sea-level rise. The outcome of the combined effects of sea-level rise and increased temperature is unsure.
4. Increased sea level is the most significant climate change threat to mangroves, resulting in erosion, inundation, and loss.
4. Conclusion
Komodo National Park is facing the treats from Climate changes. And it is become everyone’s obligation to take part on saving this World Heritage site.
Cited Reference:
[1] Executive Summary: Indonesia and Climate Change Working Paper on Current Status and Policies, PEACE March 2007
[2] Case Studies on Climate Change and World Heritage. UNESCO-World Heritage Convention. June 2007
[3] http://www.komodonationalpark.org/ Komodo National Park Official Park, Accessed on October 2008.
*Presented at Asian Youth Culture Camp,Gwangju, South Korea
- Toughts | Time: 1:31 pm (UTC+8)
