Question

The American pika (Ochotona princeps) is a small mammal that is most closely related to rabbits and hares. It lives at mid-to-high altitudes in mountains of western North America. In its relatively cold and rocky habitat, it collects wildflowers in the summer to store them for eating throughout the winter. Given the predicted patterns under climate change, how do you think the pika’s distribution will most likely change in the next 100 years? Considering its dispersal ability, where will it likely exist? Among the three main sets of factors that determine distributions, which set of factors will likely have the biggest impact?

Answer 1

   Pika can thrive in cooler climate which can be ascertained form the above statements. They may not be able survive any increase in temperatures. In coming 100 year with increase in environmental temperatures and with reduced snowy regions. Most pika population may face extinction due to loss of suitable temperatures and climate. Remaining pika population may migrate to mountains with higher altitudes for cooler climate.

    Pikas have a very high metabolic rate which result a high amount generation of heat from their bodies and to overcome the heta generated thye prefers to live in cooler climate. With increasing temperatures they might be able to survive temperature change. Hence the climate change factor might be more affecting their distribution and population.