Great apes are in danger of “generational trauma” due to climate change, according to findings published on February 28 in the academic journal PLOS Climate, suggesting the crisis is creating dangerous conditions in hundreds of ape habitats across Africa.
The animals – considered humanity’s closest cousins – face death and disruption as the planet gradually heats up. “They are facing a lot of threats that are much more imminent than climate change,” said Stefanie Heinicke at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.
Extreme climate events can bring generational trauma
The postdoctoral researcher examined 333 sites where African apes live, finding that all of them had experienced temperature increases. Using projections of a Earth heated to both 2C and 3C above pre-industrial levels, the team found these habitats are at risk of more extreme impacts.
Researchers also found that some of these ape populations are likely to be more exposed to extreme climate events like drought and cyclones – events that can not only reduce food security but physically break up groups, reported CBC News.
Primatologist Ammie Kalan at the University of Victoria said such isolation breaks down the social networks of the animals, and that the longer these extreme climate events last, the worse the damage to the ape population in the continent.
Conservation efforts must consider global heating
It suggests generational trauma. Climate change has turned into one of the greatest threats, putting lives of almost all species on the planet in danger. Human activities have caused global temperatures to surpass unprecedented levels in recent years.
Heinicke said that because the primary threats to ape populations are deforestation and hunting, there has not been a strong climate change argument made in conservation efforts. But it is important to understand how temperature increases can affect the species in the future.
