Animal Life In Chico A Look At The California Drought

Submitted By Scrummy75
Words: 1684
Pages: 7

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Nigel Dreksler
Evan Ferrara
James Hespeler
Bailie Reinhardt
Sophia Veimau

Animal Life in Chico ­ A Look at the California Drought California is currently facing hardship from climate change in the form of a serious drought. It has be reported that it is the driest period in California history since the annual levels of rainfall has been recorded (Rogers, 1). The drought's effects are widespread and seemingly making the news nearly daily. Stepping outside you can see it all over whether its your water conscious neighbors’ dead lawn or out in nature. It can be seen locally in the Chico area at Lake
Oroville where the lake sits at only 41% capacity (May). Human access to water has been decreased and conservation efforts are in place. However there is a group that has struggled more than humans. Animals. The drought has hurt their habitat as well as decreased their access to things such as food and water.
Research pertaining to global climate change is something that has been a huge subject of conversation. Many opinions and evidence have been offered when cultivating a point of view on the subject, however one prevalent theme is that change is occurring, it’s undeniable.
. Less rainfall has occurred during the drought which in turn has decreased snowpack, decreased water runoff, and has caused water levels to be decreased. An increase in temperature has also affected water levels and therefore affected the animals in the Chico area. The temperature increase combined with the decreased rainfall has hurt Chico local plants crippling the food supply of the creatures. The drought's effects can widely be seen and are hurting animal life.

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Research pertaining to global climate change is something that has been a huge subject of conversation. Many opinions and evidence have been offered when cultivating a point of view on the subject, however one prevalent theme is that change is occurring, it’s undeniable. Robert
Cheke dissects the long­term footprint of our decisions and how we have a responsibility to think in the long term. His research is recent and relevant to the subject and body of our question.
Davis and Mooney cultivate evidence on how shrub life and its inhabitants have been plagued by droughts and their repercussions, although it is not recent, it is relevant research. When developing a topic such as this we must all understand the trends and norms of the past, in able to relate and connect them to the future. All the research that relates to the topic of climate change, and its affect on animal life is very plentiful, and combined with our infield observations will serve as a great culmination of information on how animals are affected by the changing climate.
In an article by Jamie Smith for the California Academy of Sciences, several different viewpoints are given about the current drought in our state. Wildfires are a big part of the global climate change, they displace animals and leave them helpless in search of food and shelter.
Reportings of bears entering human populated areas is also a concern with the change in the weather. The lack of water and plant life causes a decrease in animal population and new regulations on things like hunting and fishing. In our places, with the recent weather changes, displacement of animals has been noted. The brittle trees are falling more easily because of the lack of rainfall, which causes several species of animals to become homeless. This research is very relevant and helpful with our question, it gives great examples of direct effects the climate change has on the animals in our area.

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Snowpack has been greatly affected by California's drought which in turn is affecting wildlife. Hashem Said’s article states that the snowpack is at 12 percent of normal levels. This is having a huge impact on Coho salmon specifically because they have a certain path they must follow unlike most other breeds of salmon that