<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/12/floods-and-environmental-flows-a-boon-for-south-east-australias-waterbirds-survey-shows>
"Widespread floods and environmental flows have been a boon for waterbirds,
with annual surveys in eastern Australia recording more than half a million
birds.
But researchers say long-term declines in populations persist and the effects
of El Niño and drying across eastern Australia are showing, with the total area
of surveyed wetland habitat decreasing over the past year.
Scientists have conducted the eastern Australian waterbird survey annually
since 1983 to monitor continental-scale changes in the distribution and
abundance of waterbirds and their breeding, as well as change in the extent of
wetland habitat over time.
During this year’s survey – the 41st – researchers observed increased numbers
of waterbirds, counting 579,641 individuals, the seventh-highest figure in the
survey’s history.
The boost in numbers came after three La Niña years and widespread breeding of
waterbirds throughout eastern Australia in 2021 and 2022."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
