Extreme weather that hit several regions in Indonesia has become a public spotlight. Based on observations by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), during the day the maximum temperature measured until the end of September 2023 in several regions reached a range of 35.4\u00b0 C to 38\u00b0 C. This is due to the minimal level of cloud growth and low air humidity. This incident affects the lives of living things, one of which is fauna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Head of Development and Services of the Research Center for Climate Change University of Indonesia (RCCC UI), Dr. Nurul L. Winarni as an expert in biology at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) UI said that the impacts that may be experienced by fauna in tropical climate areas are the availability of food and water as well as migration and distribution of their habitats. Indonesia is located in the tropics so that the animals in Indonesia are types of animals that also live in tropical areas. These animals consist of various charismatic animals, such as tigers, elephants, rhinos, to various types of birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Extreme weather has a significant impact on various types of fauna. Dr. Nurul gave an example, such as birds living in the mountains are becoming increasingly narrow habitats due to the influence of increasingly hot temperature changes. Types of exothermic animals, such as amphibians, animals that are sensitive to temperature changes. If the temperature is too hot, it can affect vital conditions, such as digestion, reproduction, and metabolism as well as the condition of water availability in their habitats that are experiencing drought. With the increasingly minimal Green Open Space (RTH) in urban areas, fauna such as birds and butterflies are also expected to lose their habitats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, extreme weather will affect the availability of animal food. Many animals utilize plants that are certainly affected by extreme weather and cause drought. Plants have an important role as a food source for animals. Nectar and fruit production can be affected, including the pattern of flowering and fruiting seasons can shift. This causes animals to have to be able to find alternative resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Dr. Nurul, fauna that has the potential to migrate such as birds that make seasonal journeys from their habitats that experience summer to winter will migrate to warmer areas such as tropical climates. If winter ends, then they will return to their original habitat. Meanwhile, for animals that live in tropical areas, there is no migration. However, these animals need a sufficient supply of water sources. Animal movements may occur to find places that still provide food, water sources, and shelter. Competition between animals may occur to compete for these resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, extreme weather can also increase the likelihood of forest fires that threaten habitat loss for species living in the forest. Extreme weather can also cause drought in aquatic habitats such as swamps, rivers, lakes, which can threaten the existence of certain types of fish. If this happens, it can also have an impact on the cycle of animal ecosystems, such as food chains and food webs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Dr. Nurul, if one of the food chains is lost, it will affect the trophic level of producers, consumers, decomposers or decomposers and can disrupt the balance of the ecosystem. This can happen because of changes in food resources that can cause changes in the composition of animal communities in the ecosystem. This means that it results in the loss of certain species or an increase in the population of other more dominant organisms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In overcoming the impact of extreme weather on fauna, Dr. Nurul conveyed steps that can be taken in the short term, namely by providing water sources, preventing forest fires, planting fruit trees and flowering plants in urban areas. While in the long term, it can restore and protect habitats, provide alternative habitats especially for urban areas by providing green open spaces such as parks, including utilizing home yards and conserving water resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n