Topic: Environment
Birds are migrating earlier due to climate change, causing problems for their survival. Research by Morgan Tingley at UCLA found that birds that migrate farthest have the hardest time adapting. This can lead to population declines and affect humans who rely on birds for food and ecosystem services.
Spring migration has started, but rising temperatures and changing seasons are affecting when and how birds migrate. Morgan Tingley, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), studies the effects of climate change on birds.
In the spring, birds migrate north across the United States to reach their breeding grounds. They try to time their migration so they can arrive when food is plentiful. However, climate change is causing springs to happen earlier, which can cause problems for birds. These earlier springs can result in birds arriving too late at their breeding grounds.
About 70% of bird species found in the United States are migratory. Some migrate just 50 to 100 miles (80 to 160 kilometers), while others migrate from South America to Canada. Research has found that birds that migrate farthest have the hardest time keeping up with climate change.
This is because birds living in different parts of the world may experience disconnected seasons. For example, if it's an early spring in New York, it might also be an early spring in Tennessee. However, a bird living in Argentina and migrating to New York will face very different temperatures and seasons.
When birds are out of sync with the seasons, they may not have enough food for their young or may be more susceptible to extreme summer temperatures. This can lead to population declines. In North America, many bird populations have declined over the past 40 years.
Why It Matters
Climate change affects not only birds but also humans who rely on them for food and ecosystem services. As bird populations decline, it can cause problems for human societies, such as reduced food supplies and ecosystem disruptions.
Key Facts
- About 70% of bird species found in the United States are migratory.
- Climate change is causing springs to happen earlier, affecting birds' migration timing.
- Birds that migrate farthest have the hardest time keeping up with climate change.
- Many bird populations in North America have declined over the past 40 years.
- Birds play a crucial role in food supplies and ecosystem services.
Key Terms
- Migratory
- Birds that travel from one place to another at certain times of the year.
Implications
Climate change affects not only birds but also humans who rely on them for food and ecosystem services. As bird populations decline, it can cause problems for human societies, such as reduced food supplies and ecosystem disruptions.
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