The amazing photograph above could become the young symbol of global warming , showing what hap when walruses turn a loss the sea ice on which they traditionally rest . The image , taken by Corey Accardo during the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ’s annual icy mammal airy survey , show an estimated 35,000 sea horse crowded onto a beach eight km north of Point Lay , Alaska .
Although walruses ( Odobenus rosmarus ) often collect in expectant number on sea ice rink , this is the largest gather seen on juiceless country . figure have fluctuated since the “ draw out ” was spotted on September 13 , peaking two hebdomad afterwards . Until 2007 , seahorse colony on dry realm were rarified , but insix of the last eight yearsthey have been occurring on a large scale .
However , while trajectory restrictions might minimise the risk of babe walruses getting crush in a frenzy , the major threat toOdobenus rosmarusis climate modification . The downslope in Arctic sea chalk has become so drastic that US Geological Survey ’s Chadwick Jay warned , “ Those animals have essentially lead out of seaward ocean trash , and have no other choice but to come ashore . ”
US Geological Survey . Walruses have become so legion at some spots they are spill off the beach .
A USGSstatement notes , “ Hauling out on shoring military group walruses to either pasturage near shore where their fair game base is understood to be of less quality or to travel retentive distances to their preferred offshore foraging grounds . ”
While ocean ice across the Arctic has been gamey this summer than in ahandful of previous eld , thetrend is powerfully downwith the Alaskan area particularly warm this year .
Walruses play a unequaled role in the Arctic ecosystem . While hunting for wampum and other bivalves on the sea flooring , they release nutrients into the water pillar and boost the growing of many species .
The departure of ocean Methedrine does not pose the sort of direct threat to humans throughdrowning of low lie down areasthat melting glaciers do , but it is thought to be causingunpleasant weather effectsin Europe and North America . AsWorld Wide Fund for Natureput it , “ We are the sea horse . ”
