Scientists argue that Florida manatees are expected to survive the next century and their number may even double, despite the effects of climate change. Some may vanish due to boat collisions, ecosystem collapse, freezing weather and toxic algae. Nevertheless, this species is bound to survive through the next century. The US Geological Survey has published a new technical study which relies on computer examination of protections and threats for manatees.
- The population of Florida manatees was predicted to double in the future.
- Federal experts stated that environmentalists’ efforts proved to be efficient and manatees are no longer an endangered species.
- They were estimated to survive thorough the next century.
This species was recently taken off of the list of endangered species, having the threatened status. Michael C. Runge, an ecologist, stated that nowadays the population of Florida manatees is continuously growing. The longevity of adult manatees seems to be excellent and state benefits from an available habitat, being bound to support a growing population of manatees.
Even if this may seem controversial, the prospect for sea cows has been analyzed by fishing enthusiasts, environmental advocates, state biologists and electric devices discharging warm water during the cold season to protect the mammals. Katie Tripp, who is the science director of the Save the Manatee Club in Maitland, argued that environmental, political and other factors appear to be too dynamic for computer prognosis.
Tripp noted that the model used on a computer is not able to indicate whether power-plant, warm-water discharges may diminish in five or fifty years. The point is that no computer technology could estimate the time span. Besides these factors, there are also things like loss of habitat of threat from boaters which are unpredictable as well. Many agencies use this practice of developing models instead of just doing the hard work which needs to be done to obtain accurate information.
Approximately 40 years ago, when manatees were declared to be endangered, there were only about 1,000 Florida manatees. Due to environmentalists’ efforts which included boating limits, the population of manatees has registered a significant rebound. The number of individuals has increased to 6,000. Scientists at the US Geological Survey considered a broad range of scenarios which were introduced in their computer system.
Thus, they managed to establish that there is a less than 1% chance that the population of manatees would dramatically decline. Nevertheless, based on the data provided by the agency, the number of Florida manatees is bound to double and then become steady.
Image source: flickr
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