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https://theconversation.com/more-than-half-of-earths-migratory-bird-species-are-declining-heres-how-we-can-still-save-them-287947>
"Every year, billions of migratory birds connect the world’s continents, oceans
and ecosystems as they undertake epic journeys between their foraging habitats
and their breeding grounds.
A bobolink (
Dolichonyx oryzivorus) leaves its breeding grasslands of North
America for the Pampas of South America. A Newell’s shearwater (
Puffinus
newelli) spends months soaring across the North Pacific before returning to
the Hawaiian Islands to breed. A spoon-billed sandpiper (
Calidris pygmaea)
travels from Arctic Russia to the rapidly disappearing tidal mudflats of
Southeast Asia for its nonbreeding season.
These birds could hardly be more different. They occupy different habitats,
follow different migratory routes and face different threats. Yet they share
one remarkable characteristic: Their survival depends on networks of habitats
stretching across thousands of miles and multiple countries.
Today, all three species and many others are in trouble. Their migrations
remain among nature’s greatest spectacles, but the birds themselves are
increasingly at risk as the habitats and ecological connections they depend
upon are lost or degraded and threats to their survival and ability to
reproduce increase.
We study migratory birds as scientists. With an international group of
colleagues, we just published a comprehensive assessment of the status, threats
and conservation efforts involving more than 3,380 of Earth’s migratory bird
species.
The results are sobering. We found that more than half of the world’s migratory
bird species are declining because of an array of threats, including habitat
loss, invasive species that harm birds, collisions with buildings, hunting, the
pet trade, toxic pesticides and, in some cases, being caught in commercial
fishing nets.
But our study offers a second conclusion with more hope. The science around
migratory birds has changed dramatically over the past two decades, and
conservation can help save these incredible species – if governments act before
they become endangered."
Via Joyce Donahue.
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
