How Will Global Warming Affect Puffins?
Project Puffin is a nonprofit group dedicated to the preservation and research of these charismatic seabirds. Here is what they think about puffins and global warming:
Puffins only live in cold waters that are between or 32º to 68º Fahrenheit (0º to 20º Celsius). They are adapted for preying on fish that live in cold waters. Global warming may increase the temperature of earth by 5º Fahrenheit and raise the sea level 3 to 10 ft (1 to 3 meters) by year 2100. Rising sea levels could hurt puffins by flooding their breeding islands. If the earth’s temperature increased it could affect puffins by limiting their range. Global warming could also affect the distribution of the fish the puffins eat and feed their young.
Source: Project Puffin
Photo Courtesy Of: badwolfday:
Unsure Puffin, Skomer Island, Wales
Picture: Richard Costin
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