In recent years, wildfires have become more frequent, severe, and extensive around the world, especially in regions with dry and hot climates.
One of the main factors behind this trend is climate change, which is caused by the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere from human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and agriculture.
The consequences of wildfire smoke for wild animals
Ian Willms/Getty Images
Wildfire smoke can have various consequences for wild animals depending on the type, concentration, duration, and timing of exposure; the species, age, sex, and health status of the animal; the availability, quality, and diversity of food, water, and shelter resources; the presence, absence, or density of predators, competitors, or parasites; the degree of adaptation or acclimation to fire or smoke, as per Phys.org.
Some of the possible consequences of wildfire smoke for wild animals are:
Respiratory problems
Wildfire smoke can irritate the respiratory tract, cause inflammation, impair gas exchange, reduce lung function, increase susceptibility to infections, damage lung tissue, and increase mortality.
Respiratory problems may be more severe or fatal for young, old, or sick animals; for animals with high metabolic rates or oxygen demands; for animals that live in burrows or cavities; or for animals that are exposed to high levels or long periods of smoke.
Cardiovascular problems
Wildfire smoke can affect the cardiovascular system by increasing blood pressure, heart rate, and blood clotting; reducing blood oxygen levels; triggering arrhythmias; causing heart attacks or strokes.
Cardiovascular problems may be more severe or fatal for animals with preexisting heart conditions; for animals that live at high altitudes or low temperatures; or for animals that are exposed to high levels or long periods of smoke.
Immunity problems
Wildfire smoke can affect the immune system by reducing immune function, increasing inflammation, altering cytokine production, modulating stress hormones, increasing oxidative stress. Immune problems may increase the risk of infections, allergies, autoimmune diseases, or cancer.
Immunity problems may be more severe or fatal for young, old, or sick animals; for animals with compromised immune systems; or for animals that are exposed to high levels or long periods of smoke.
Reproductive problems
Wildfire smoke can affect the reproductive system by altering hormone levels, disrupting reproductive cycles, reducing fertility, affecting gamete quality or viability, causing abortions or birth defects.
Reproductive problems may reduce the reproductive success or fitness of animals. Reproductive problems may be more severe or fatal for animals that breed seasonally or synchronously; for animals that have long gestation periods or low reproductive rates; or for animals that are exposed to high levels or long periods of smoke.
Behavioral problems
Wildfire smoke can affect the behavior of animals by inducing fear, anxiety, or stress; affecting sensory perception, learning, or memory; altering activity patterns, movement, or migration; affecting social interactions, communication, or cooperation; affecting foraging, hunting, or feeding; affecting nesting, roosting, or resting.
Behavioral problems may affect the survival or reproduction of animals. Behavioral problems may be more severe or fatal for animals that rely on vision, smell, or hearing for navigation or orientation; for animals that have complex cognitive or social skills; or for animals that are exposed to high levels or long periods of smoke.
The challenges of studying wildfire smoke and wild animals
Studying wildfire smoke and its impact on wild animals is a challenging and emerging field of research. It requires interdisciplinary collaboration among scientists from various disciplines, such as ecology, physiology, toxicology, epidemiology, climatology, and fire science, as per Discover.
It also requires innovative methods and tools to measure and monitor wildfire smoke and its effects on wild animals in the field and in the laboratory.
Some of the challenges of studying wildfire smoke and wild animals are:
Data scarcity: There is a lack of data on the exposure and response of wild animals to wildfire smoke, especially at large spatial and temporal scales. There is also a lack of data on the composition and variability of wildfire smoke, especially at fine spatial and temporal resolutions. Data collection is limited by the availability, accessibility, and affordability of sampling devices, sensors, cameras, trackers, or biomarkers. Data analysis is limited by the availability, compatibility, and quality of databases, models, or software.
Data uncertainty: There is a high degree of uncertainty in the data on wildfire smoke and its impact on wild animals due to the complexity, variability, and unpredictability of fire behavior, smoke dispersion, animal behavior, and environmental factors. There is also a high degree of uncertainty in the data due to the measurement errors, biases, or gaps in sampling devices, sensors, cameras, trackers, or biomarkers. Data interpretation is limited by the uncertainty, variability, and context-dependency of exposure-response relationships, dose-response curves, or thresholds.
Data generalization: There is a difficulty in generalizing the data on wildfire smoke and its impact on wild animals due to the diversity and specificity of animal species, populations, communities, or ecosystems. There is also a difficulty in generalizing the data due to the heterogeneity and specificity of fire regimes, smoke characteristics, exposure scenarios, or response outcomes. Data extrapolation is limited by the lack of knowledge or understanding of the mechanisms, interactions, or feedbacks underlying the effects of wildfire smoke on wild animals.
Air polluted with wildfire smoke can harm wild animals too. Wildfire smoke can cause various health and welfare problems for wild animals depending on their exposure and response.
Studying wildfire smoke and its impact on wild animals is a challenging and emerging field of research that requires more data collection, analysis, interpretation, and generalization.
