According to a recent study by James Cook University researchers, climate change could force the extinction of Ringtail Possum in the Wet Tropics by 2050 if current trends continue

An Article published by Stephen Williams and Alejandro de la Fuente, found that possum species which evolved in the cool mountain top forests were struggling with increased temperatures and had declined

Four species of ringtail possums live in the Wet Tropics of Far North Queensland:

  • Lemuroid Ringtail,
  • Green Ringtail,
  • Herbert River Ringtail
  • Daintree River Ringtail.
Professor Williams said that based on the results of the study, he listed the lemuroid ringtail as endangered through the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
Other several Studies also shows that not only ringtail possums but others species are also under threat.
“We’ve just listed 13 species of birds in the Wet Tropics as threatened. They’ve lost 30 per cent to 50 per cent of their total population size,” Professor Williams said.
He also suggested that even a moderate reduction in carbon emissions would help reduce extinction rates of wet tropics species.
“Some species are majorly impacted by heatwaves, while others are declining in association with gradual climatic change. That makes a difference as to what you would do and how we might approach reducing these impacts,” Professor Williams said. 

NEW WORDS

Extinction: when a species no longer exists
Endangered: at serious risk of extinction
Biodiversity: the variety of plant and animal life in particular habitats
Carbon Emissions: gases that enter the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels, causing global warming

Home Work

  1. What is causing the rapid decline of ringtail possums in the wet tropics?
  2. What four species of ringtail possums live in the wet tropics?
  3. If the lemuroid ringtail possum is listed as endangered, what changes should be made for the treatment of that species and its habitat?