Global Warming and its Impact on Bird Migration
Birds in Dire Straits as Climate Changes and the Globe Warms
Apr 15, 2009
The new study by UK scientists was based on the migration patterns of European Sylvia warblers from Africa to their breeding grounds in Europe. The researchers warn that climate change would push the breeding ranges of birds northwards considerably. This could go up to 250 miles in the case of birds with longer migratory routes. Migration distance increased generally, by about twice as much in the case of trans-Saharan migrant species than for short-distance migrants. The added distance is a great threat to the birds. Some of them may not be able to fully cope with the new changes.
Use of Simulation
The UK team used simulation models to give an accurate depiction of the portents. Climate response surfaces and generalized additive models (GAMs) were used as adjunct aids for the path breaking study. It is estimated that some 500 million birds migrate to Europe and Asia from Africa. Many long-distance migrant birds in Europe are already exhibiting long-term population declines
Audubon Society Study
Recently scientists of Audubon Society had also come up with results akin to the UK study. The scientists there had taken four decades of bird-sighting records and found that some species like the house finch and the Steller's Jay have moved their winter homes hundreds of miles north.
An Amazing Phenomenon
Bird migration is an amazing phenomenon of endurance and stamina. It is a feat of endurance non-pareil. As a preparation for migrations, birds put on significant amounts of weight in fat. Some species even double their weight in the process. Others shrink the size of their internal organs to increase efficiency in flight. Many of them refuel on the way to sustain the long distance flight. High winds and atmospheric instability caused by global warming could add to the woes of distressed birds. The entire process could be thrown out of kilter.
New Scenario and Prudent Course for Future
In the new evolving scenario birds would be forced to adapt or perish. Some species have already selected new breeding grounds. A subpopulation of blackcap warblers has begun wintering in England instead of the Mediterranean coast. This calls for a new look at the areas protected as bird migration corridors. There is an urgent need to include new key areas used for stopovers on long-distance migrations as protected areas. The prudent course of course would be adoption of methodologies and technologies that reduce the greenhouse gas emissions.
The results of the new study headed by Dr Stephen Willis of Durham University, has been published in the Journal of Biogeography.
References
1) Doswald et al. Potential impacts of climatic change on the breeding and non-breeding ranges and migration distance of European Sylvia warblers. Journal of Biogeography, 2009; DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2699.2009.02086.x
2) CBS Evening News: Scientists Find That Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Makes Dramatic Difference For Birds Feb. 10,2009
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