Audubon Study Finds 34% Of Ohio Bird Species Vulnerable To Climate Change
- by Thibaud Popelin
- in Monde
- — Oct 12, 2019
Almost two-thirds of North American birds studied will go extinct if global warming hits 3 degrees Celsius (5.4˚F), a new report from the National Audubon Society finds.
Scientists say that, in addition to eating bugs and pollinating plants, birds are an important indicator species.
A new report says there's a bird emergency in the air - climate change could eradicate two-thirds of the bird species now prevalent in OH by the end of this century.
Birds are considered early responders to climate change - they are sensitive to the weather, and warming temperatures mean they have to relocate to a more favorable climate. Based on 140 million bird records from more than 70 data sources, the report mapped the future range of birds based on climate change exposure and the ability to adapt.
Though reducing emissions from vehicles and power plants is a major goal outlined in the report, Wells said conserving land also is key, not only to maintain more bird habitat but also to provide trees and plants that can absorb carbon and help mitigate greenhouse gases. "We are already seeing the effects of this in South Carolina, from more extreme weather events to flooding and sea level rise", said Angelina Ricci Eisenhauer, Audubon South Carolina's Director of Policy and Communications.
Across North America, bird species are under duress with cumulative population losses in the billions due to habitat loss, pesticides and other pressures related to human activity, multiple studies have shown.
Scientists believe warming up to 2 degrees could happen as soon as 2050, and 3 degrees could occur by 2080. "When I was a child, my grandmother introduced me to the common loons that lived on the lake at my grandparent's home in northern Wisconsin".
People can type in their zip codes to Audubon's Birds and Climate Visualizer to see how climate change will impact their specific community and local birds. And along with them, so may we. The resulting changes in vegetation and habitat will mean that almost half of California's birds could lose a substantial part of their ranges as the climate warms.
All 16 Arctic species would be at high risk, including iconic birds such as the snowy owl and the Arctic tern.
Loss of habitat or food, harsh weather conditions and rising sea levels are among the effects of climate change that would force ME birds to move farther north, reduce the size of their range and shrink their population, said Jeff Wells, vice president of Boreal Conservation at National Audubon.
"We already know what we need to do to reduce global warming, and we already have a lot of the tools we need to take those steps".
American robins, once recognised in northern USA states as a harbinger of spring when they return from their southern migration to avoid winter's chill, instead are staying put during increasingly warm North American winters, she said.
Renee Stone, vice president of climate for the National Audubon Society, called on elected officials to treat climate change as a priority going forward.
In 2014, Audubon published its first Birds and Climate Change Report.
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