Emma Joyner- Orca Article

 The Southern Resident killer whales, one of the most iconic marine apex predators are facing threats that threaten their existence. One unique aspect of the Southern Residents is that they feed entirely on fish and their favorite and primary prey species is Chinook salmon. However, a sharp decline in Chinook populations due to overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change is threatening the survival of these whales. As a biology major, I have taken many classes that discuss ecosystem interactions and the environment’s interconnectedness to everything that makes it up. As Chinook salmon populations dwindle, so too does the food supply for the orcas, causing malnutrition and decreased reproduction rates. As of 2019, only 76 individuals of Southern Residents remain. This complex web of cause and effect highlights how environmental disruptions have ripple effects across species, jeopardizing biodiversity and the balance of the Pacific marine ecosystem. With Chinook salmon populations dwindling, the smaller fish populations they would typically feed on have been steadily increasing, causing a cascading effect on the entire food chain. Examples such as this force us to confront the broader environmental consequences of our human activity. This issue reminds me of other ecosystem collapses I have studied, where the loss of a keystone species, such as these orcas, sets off a chain reaction that destabilizes entire ecosystems. The Southern Resident killer whales' struggle is a powerful reminder that conservation efforts need to focus on the interconnectedness of species and ecosystems to be truly effective.

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