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New Study Reveals Critical Insights into Bird Species Vulnerability to Climate Change
Recent research indicates that enhancing conservation methods can lead to better identification and protection of bird species that are most vulnerable to climate change. A key aspect of this understanding lies in recognizing the specific environmental conditions necessary for these species to flourish.
Conducted by the University of East Anglia (UEA), the study explores how the breadth of climatic conditions that bird species can tolerate—termed climatic niche breadth—affects their chances of survival amid climate change. This research also examines how species with varying climatic preferences respond differently to altering environmental factors.
Findings show that for species sharing similar geographical locations, those that can adapt to a wider variety of climate conditions tend to have stable or growing populations, in contrast to those with more restricted climatic niche preferences, which are more likely to decline.
The research, published in the Journal of Biogeography, underscores the importance of incorporating an understanding of climatic niche breadth into climate risk assessments for more effectively guiding conservation efforts. The authors argue that recognizing variations in climatic conditions within a species’ range enhances insight into their resilience against climate-driven population changes.
Lead researcher Karolina Zalewska emphasized the complexity of identifying species at risk, noting that factors influencing population declines are often multifaceted. “Species with smaller ranges or those that are rare inherently face greater vulnerability to climate change,” she explained. However, even common birds such as the house sparrow and the common starling are not immune to threats impacting their populations.
Zalewska noted, “Species—whether they are rare or abundant—showing narrow climatic niches may be more vulnerable to rapid climate shifts compared to their counterparts with broader adaptations. This intrinsic susceptibility could contribute significantly to observed population declines.” She added that the research illustrates the necessity of considering a species’ exposure to climatic variability in vulnerability assessments and understanding longer-term population trends.
The research highlights the role of human-induced climate change as a formidable threat to global biodiversity, revealing that the impacts are likely to vary significantly among different species. Variations in life history traits and exposure to environmental changes can determine their resilience, with certain climatic factors, such as temperature fluctuations and precipitation patterns, being more prevalent across geographic areas.
While it would be expected that species with extensive geographical ranges might be more resilient to environmental changes, recent declines in populations of many widespread species suggest that other influencing factors may warrant examination. The researchers propose that understanding the breadth of climatic conditions that species face may serve as a reliable indicator of their ability to withstand climate change impacts.
Co-author Prof Aldina Franco highlighted the urgency of swiftly assessing species vulnerability amid the escalating biodiversity crisis associated with climate change. “It’s crucial to prioritize conservation efforts towards species at higher risk due to their limited environmental adaptability,” she stated.
The team analyzed population trend data from 159 European breeding bird species across 29 countries, utilizing insights from the Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme. This involved correlating four decades of population data with the climatic conditions experienced by these species and their geographical distribution.
Using 30 years of climate data related to the species’ breeding ranges, researchers developed representations of their climatic niches and introduced a novel index that factors in species distribution areas. They also considered additional variables, such as dietary preferences, principal habitat types, migratory behaviors, and average body mass, to determine their influence on long-term population changes.
According to the findings, 58 species displayed declining populations, while 68 were stable, and 33 experienced growth. Consistent with earlier research, the study found that farmland-associated species (like the corn bunting and skylark) are more likely to be on the decline, in contrast to those species adaptable to human-altered environments (such as blackbirds and blue tits), which tend to be increasing in number.
This investigation received funding support from the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council and the ARIES Doctoral Training Partnership, contributing valuable insights towards the conservation of susceptible bird species in the face of ongoing climate challenges.
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