The Pawikan's Problem

     Marine ecosystems are very much like dominoes. Should one piece of it fall, the rest will soon follow. And we regret to inform you, dear readers, that the first piece in what could be a disaster is falling at this very moment--and that piece is the Pawikan.

Pawikan

     Pawikans aren't just beautiful, they're vital to the survival of numerous species. You see, Pawikans are one of the very few creatures who eat the very important sea grass, and sea grass needs to be cut short in order to grow healthily and spread. There has been a decline in sea beds over the decades, and this may be linked to the decline of Pawikans. Many species of fish, shellfish, and crustaceans depend on sea grass beds for breeding and developmental grounds--should Pawikans continue to die off and leave sea grass untended, those species will all in turn die off. Farmers will have less to catch, we'll have less to eat, and the roles of the dead species in the water ecosystem will go unfulfilled, further destroying the precious ecosystem. 

Global Warming :(

     "What's killing Pawikans off in the first place?" you're sure to be thinking. Mainly, global warming. The heating of the earth's waters bears MANY ill consequences for them. For starters, the warming of the water kills off many of the plants and animals that serve as their food. Should none of said plants and animals be found in a Pawikan's environment, it will leave in search of a new one, which poises many dangers because at the same time, global warming kills off the regular food supply of sharks and whales--causing them to prey on Pawikans. Also, Pawikans are very easily stressed, and you can imagine how devastated they'd be by having to leave their environment in search of food...not to mention the very unpleasant fact that sharks are now out to get them. While stressed they are far less likely to mate, and if they do they'll have less eggs which further exacerbates the problem that only about 10% of their offspring live past a year...which is in turn exacerbated by the fact that warmer temperatures drastically reduce the chance of hatchlings' survival.

Pollution

     "Wow." you must be saying. "Global warming sure has it hard on Pawikans." Well, I hope you don't forget the fact that we human beings are the cause. Our pollution rapidly speeds up the global warming process, which rapidly kills off entire species in both land and sea--including Pawikans. So, what can we do? Refrain from throwing garbage into the ocean, which Pawikans can mistake for jellyfish. Support conservation centers and movement that aim to combat global warming. Shout it out, make it known what global warming is doing to Pawikans--no matter in what way, you need to get involved. Saving the Pawikans is an important task, and one you should be a part of.