Extreme heat conditions in Austin have impacted the animal and plant species throughout the city. Animals are suffering from overheating due to the intense heat, which quickly dehydrates them and leaves them with fewer cool places to find shelter. The executive director of Austin Wildlife Rescue, Hayley Hudnall, reports that the extreme heat has contributed to the rehabilitation of 600 more animals this year than last. (1) There has also been an increase in wildfires due to the heat and drought conditions. The Texas A&M Forest Service reports that over 4,000 acres were destroyed in wildfires in Central Texas thus far this year. (2)
Austin, Texas is located in the temperate grassland biome. The majority of shrubs and grasses represent temperate grassland biomes. This biome has fertile soil that is rich in minerals and nutrients. The majority of the wildlife is made up of birds and large grazing mammals. (3)
The Edwards Plateau, the Blackland Prairies, and the Post Oak Savannah Floodplains are the three ecoregions found in Austin. All three of them have different types of soil but are all somewhat alkaline. These soils are problematic because of problems with clay and low amounts of organic matter. (4)
The Edwards Plateau's limestone deposits have resulted in the formation of karst topography, which is characterized by landforms like sinkholes, caves, and underground rivers. The breakdown of limestone and chemical weathering have an impact on karst events. The native animals and plants are essential to maintaining consistent temperatures, humidity levels, and nutrient supplies in this karst ecosystem. Water, fungi, leaf litter other woody debris, and other nutrients are brought to the subsurface by these plants and their soils. Tree canopies lower soil and air temperatures, lessen flooding and lessen evaporation. When the natural shade is removed, the weather gets hotter and drier, there is less water infiltration, nutrients are lost, there is sedimentation and erosion, and non-native species invade the area. These communities of surface plants and animals are essential to karst ecosystems. (5)
Many factors aside from climate influence the vegetation and wildlife in Austin. The composition of various soils impacts the kind of vegetation that can grow since plant species have specific soil requirements. The region's geological characteristics, such as the Edwards Plateau's limestone, contribute to the development of diverse habitats. The karst topography, which includes sinkholes and caves, affects both vegetation and animals. (6) Another major impact on vegetation and wildlife is human activities and urbanization. Expansion of roads, infrastructure, and urban areas can disrupt wildlife migration patterns and divide habitats. (7)
Austin ecosystems, water supplies, and animals have been impacted by climate change and rising temperatures. This has altered precipitation patterns and extreme weather events. The fast growth of cities and their residents hurt local ecosystems and wildlife by increasing habitat loss. Water pollution in rivers and lakes can be a result of pollution from factories, farming methods, and drainage from cities. Aquatic environments are impacted by pollutants including chemicals, sediments, and fertilizers. The threat of invasive species has become a large concern in the Austin community. These invasive have the potential to cause environmental disruption and kill native species. (8)
Work Cited
https://thedailytexan.com/2023/08/07/animals-face-dehydration-and-exhaustion-in-austins-hot-weather/
https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/2023-central-texas-wildfire-map/
http://whsapes.pbworks.com/w/page/5457788/temperate%20grassland%20biome
https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=347313
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/3ad729e6bdc6425fabbeac65624d4d6b
https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/L_AUS%20AEDP%20FInal%20EA_Appendix%20E.pdf