Koala Bears and Eucalyptus

Apparently, increasing levels of CO2 in the atmosphere causes the eucalyptus tree to form tannins and other antinutrients at an increased ratio relative to the proteins that the koala bear needs to support itself.

New research shows that the level of toxicity in the leaves of eucalyptus saplings rises, and their nutrient content falls, when they are exposed to higher levels of carbon dioxide.

“What currently may be good koala habitat may well become, over a period of not so many years at the rate that carbon dioxide concentrations are rising, very marginal habitat,” said Ian Hume, Emeritus Professor of Biology at Sydney University, who carried out the research.

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The animals would be unable to adapt to the greater toxicity of gum tree leaves, Prof Hume said after presenting his findings at an Academy of Science conference in Canberra. “I don’t think they’ve got enough time to do that, nowhere near enough time to do that,” he said.

~ by Yuri Guri on July 30, 2008.