Antarctic Biology
Weddell seals are negatively affected by an extreme change in the intensity, persistence, and form of the yearly sea ice. The modern change in the environmental features have a negative impact on the existence and survival of the Weddell seals species. The environmental changes result in change in the distribution and presence of the Weddell seals species as well as their habitat. Changes in the environmental conditions such as the transformations in the pack ice characteristics affect the distribution and population size of the Weddell species.
The Weddell species do not thrive well in the presence of high light intensity. When the light levels are very minimal the Weddell seals prey makes little vertical migration in the presence of the pack ice. Most preys that are chosen by the Weddell occurs at the mid waters, vary in size according to the depth, and make vertical diurnal migration. The migration of pups occurs after weaning where they leave the Erebus Bay and move to McMurdo Sound in search of pack-ice habitat as compared to the adults (Camerron & Siniff, 2004). The migration of pups occurs to increase their chances of survival by moving to the areas where there is plenty of prey. The pups evade the regions where there is less food. They also avoid the environment that is within the molting areas and breading region where the adult congregate.
The marine life is hugely affected by a change in the environment as a result of the destruction of the marine habitat. Destruction of marine habitat due to environmental pollution has resulted to decrease in the population of the Weddell Seal species. The environmental factors such as pollution and global warming result in to increase in the chances of diseases thus reducing the population of marine life. The adverse climatic change caused by global warming results to the melting of the ice thus the reduction of the Weddell Seal population (Siniff et al., 2008). The Weddell seal uses the ice to prevent themselves from their predators by swimming beneath the ice. When the sea ice levels are low the Weddell Seal immigrate and their rate of reproduction is low. This species can only be protected if the environment is taken care of through conservation.
According to the Satellites Over Seals, the population of the Weddell Seal species can be determined by examining the factors that lead to their presence. The population of the Weddell Seal is determined by environmental extremes (Burns et al., 1999). The Weddell has a specific breeding location thus if their environment is affected due to climatic change their numbers will fall down. In the years that do not favor the fast ice due to change in the climatic conditions, the Weddell Seal does not breed and do emigrate temporarily (Michelle et al., 2019). Remote sensing of the Weddell is possible because of their huge size, dark color and predictable locations. Their location proximity to the fast ice has enabled the researchers to determine their population and devise the methods of protecting them due to an understanding of their static habitat.
In conclusion, the Weddell Seals species require habitat with fast ice for survival. This ecosystem is very important since it enables them to reproduce. The presence of fast ice is also a survival mechanism for protection against dangerous predators. The Weddell Seal species require protection for them to thrive well. Environmental conservation should be maintained to ensure minimal pollution is caused to the oceans and seas. Environmental conservation should also be enhanced to ensure that no global warming since it results to the destruction of the natural habitat of the Weddell Seal species.