Short Wave How Climate Change Is Testing The Endangered Species Act
Oct 25, 2023
Nate Rott and Ryan Kellman, reporters highlighting the plight of the Key deer, dive into how rising sea levels threaten this pint-sized deer native to the Florida Keys. They discuss the critical habitat loss faced by the species and the urgent conservation efforts required. The conversation uncovers the ethical dilemmas wildlife managers confront while trying to adapt to rapid climate change. With only about 1,000 Key deer left, the implications for their survival pose tough questions about our role in conservation amidst environmental upheaval.
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Meeting the Key Deer
- Nate Rott and Ryan Kelman introduced Valerie Preziosi, a key deer advocate.
- She has several key deer in her yard, highlighting their close proximity to humans in the Florida Keys.
Evolution and Current Threat
- Key deer evolved to their small size due to rising sea levels after the last ice age, adapting over millennia.
- Current, rapid sea level rise, driven by human activity, poses a significant threat to their survival.
Shrinking Habitat
- On Big Pine Key, dead pine trees show where the pine rockland forest used to be.
- Rising saltwater is killing the trees, shrinking the key deer's primary habitat.
