Chapter eight - Waleska Reyes
Kolbert meets Miles Silman, a professor who is a forest ecologist at Wake Forest University, in Peru. Kolbert highlights that Peru has an enormous amount of tree species. Kolbert notices that due to the diversity in tree species there is also a numerous amount of frogs, fungi, and birds. Kolbert discusses the theory that in tropical areas animals reproduce faster. Another theory presented is the idea that in tropical climates there is a low-temperature fluctuation, therefore, different areas in tropical climates are designated to only specific animals who can tolerate that temperature. As a result, new species are created.
Silman then shows Kolbert the various species of trees as well as the different zones in the forest. Kolber highlights how each zone has a unique temperature, humidity, and of course species. Kolbert then explains the pattern called “Latitude Diversity Gradient”, which essentially suggest that species are more diverse at lower heights.
Kolbert highlights that the species that exist today have at some point undergone a change to help them survive the evolving temperatures. Kolber gives the example of the ice age, which was a theory by Louis Agassiz. This shows how science continues to inform us more about the past of our planet. For example, Kolbert mentions that Darwin had a theory that when the world got cooler animals migrated. Now, Kolbert points out the increasing temperatures in our climate and how they will only keep increasing. Scientists are unsure about which species will survive.
Kolbert states that the more land there is in an area the more species live there, but since humans are decreasing the amount of free land there is for animals their habitats are being destroyed. This shows how big an impact humans have on certain ecosystems. Overall this chapter made me question the role humans play in biodiversity and our planet overall.
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