Future outlooks
The forthcoming shift in climate will serve to have dramatic effects on each species in contrasting ways.
The Threatened: Arctic Fox
Habitat loss is the major threat imposed on the foxes, which will result in the tundra habitat to be colonised by plants and eventually become a Boreal forest (1). This is not suitable for the foxes. Changes will also result in the conversion of precipitation from drying snow to freezing rain and ice. Consequently this will lead to the destruction of burrows the Arctic foxes create (10). As temperatures increases, the reduction of ice sheets can lead to the isolation of Arctic foxes and further impact on genetic diversity (11). Furthermore this will have have a major implication on recovery potential for island populations and they will be in considerable danger against other threats (1). Populations within the Arctic islands are the safest populations as they are unlikely to experience the effects of climate change until last compared to their conspecifics. The loss of ice sheets will result in the isolation of such populations, from the competitive Red fox (11). However it is inevitable that changes caused by the shifting climate will likely result in the reduction of populations and possible extinction of the Arctic fox.
The Survivor: Red Fox
Increase in temperature promote the growth of the Red fox. Impending benefits the foxes will gain from temperature rising will include the reduction of thermal stress and the increase of prey abundance (7). Warming temperatures will result in Boreal forests expanding and thus further advance the population of foxes, which will in return outcompete other species (Figure 5) (5). Likewise the expansion of Red foxes into the North in search for more resources, will result in outcompeting the Arctic fox (1). As global warming continues the Red fox will thrive in these conditions and continue to increase in population size and dominate the ecosystem.
The Threatened: Arctic Fox
Habitat loss is the major threat imposed on the foxes, which will result in the tundra habitat to be colonised by plants and eventually become a Boreal forest (1). This is not suitable for the foxes. Changes will also result in the conversion of precipitation from drying snow to freezing rain and ice. Consequently this will lead to the destruction of burrows the Arctic foxes create (10). As temperatures increases, the reduction of ice sheets can lead to the isolation of Arctic foxes and further impact on genetic diversity (11). Furthermore this will have have a major implication on recovery potential for island populations and they will be in considerable danger against other threats (1). Populations within the Arctic islands are the safest populations as they are unlikely to experience the effects of climate change until last compared to their conspecifics. The loss of ice sheets will result in the isolation of such populations, from the competitive Red fox (11). However it is inevitable that changes caused by the shifting climate will likely result in the reduction of populations and possible extinction of the Arctic fox.
The Survivor: Red Fox
Increase in temperature promote the growth of the Red fox. Impending benefits the foxes will gain from temperature rising will include the reduction of thermal stress and the increase of prey abundance (7). Warming temperatures will result in Boreal forests expanding and thus further advance the population of foxes, which will in return outcompete other species (Figure 5) (5). Likewise the expansion of Red foxes into the North in search for more resources, will result in outcompeting the Arctic fox (1). As global warming continues the Red fox will thrive in these conditions and continue to increase in population size and dominate the ecosystem.
The Unpredictable: The Fennec Fox
Global warming will have many effects on the desert biome, where the Fennec fox inhabits. Firstly increases in temperature will result in an overall increase in rainfall in deserts occupying higher latitudes and reduce precipitation in subtropical deserts. Accompanying these extreme temperatures are higher intensity droughts, which will cause deserts to be exasperated. As a result the Fennec fox will burrow deeper in order to escape the heat. Drought-like conditions and increased precipitation will induce negative impacts on the desert ecosystem. These pressures will reduce soil moisture, resulting in the reduction of desert vegetation cover and thus a decline in higher populations on the food chain. Consequently the desert biodiversity will plummet at a significant rate and eventually become extinct. However, those species with fast dispersal rates may stand a chance if they extend their ranges into areas that were cooler previously. It is predicted that there will be a turnover of species in local deserts. If the Fennec fox has any chance of surviving, it has to evolve or simply relocate to a more suitable area. (12)
Global warming will have many effects on the desert biome, where the Fennec fox inhabits. Firstly increases in temperature will result in an overall increase in rainfall in deserts occupying higher latitudes and reduce precipitation in subtropical deserts. Accompanying these extreme temperatures are higher intensity droughts, which will cause deserts to be exasperated. As a result the Fennec fox will burrow deeper in order to escape the heat. Drought-like conditions and increased precipitation will induce negative impacts on the desert ecosystem. These pressures will reduce soil moisture, resulting in the reduction of desert vegetation cover and thus a decline in higher populations on the food chain. Consequently the desert biodiversity will plummet at a significant rate and eventually become extinct. However, those species with fast dispersal rates may stand a chance if they extend their ranges into areas that were cooler previously. It is predicted that there will be a turnover of species in local deserts. If the Fennec fox has any chance of surviving, it has to evolve or simply relocate to a more suitable area. (12)