Rising seas wiped out an entire US species
Scientists confirm the extinction of Key Largo tree cactus in the US due to sea level rise and storms, a first for these causes. Efforts to save failed, signaling broader climate change threats.
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Scientists have reported the extinction of the Key Largo tree cactus in the United States due to rising sea levels and intense storms, marking the first time a species has been wiped out by these factors. The plant's demise serves as a warning for other species facing the impacts of climate change. The cactus population in the Florida Keys was decimated by saltwater intrusion from storms and high tides exacerbated by rising seas. Efforts to save the remaining cacti failed, leading to their removal from the wild. The loss of this species highlights the broader threat to biodiversity in the face of sea level rise, with projections indicating up to 7 feet of rise by the end of the century in the Florida Keys. Scientists are concerned about the survival of other coastal plants and wildlife in the region. Despite attempts to rescue and relocate the cacti, finding suitable habitats that can withstand rapid climate changes remains a challenge, raising doubts about the plant's future in the wild.
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1 commentsThis is it, this is the countdown to extiction.
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