Climate change threatens nearly half the bird species in the continental United States and Canada, according to a new study published by National Audubon Society.
The study identifies 126 species that will lose more than 50 per cent of their current ranges — in some cases up to 100 per cent — by 2050, with no possibility of moving elsewhere if global warming continues on its current trajectory. A further 188 species face more than 50 per cent range loss by 2080, but may be able to make up some of this loss if they are able to colonise new areas. These 314 species include many not previously considered at risk. The report indicates that numerous extinctions are likely if global temperature increases are not stopped.
It is feared that American Avocet could lose 99 per cent of its current range by 2080 (Photo: Steve Arlow)
"It's a punch in the gut. The greatest threat our birds face today is global warming," said Audubon Chief Scientist Gary Langham, who led the investigation. "That's our unequivocal conclusion after seven years of painstakingly careful and thorough research. Global warming threatens the basic fabric of life on which birds and the rest of us depend, and we have to act quickly and decisively if we are going to avoid catastrophe for them and for us."
"The prospect of such staggering loss is horrific, but we can build a bridge to the future for America's birds," said Audubon President and CEO David Yarnold. "This report is a road map, and it's telling us two big things: We have to preserve and protect the places birds live, and we have to work together to reduce the severity of global warming."
Langham and other Audubon ornithologists analysed 30 years of North American climate data and tens of thousands of historical bird observations from the Audubon Christmas Bird Count and the U S Geological Survey's North American Breeding Bird Survey to understand the links between where birds live and the climatic conditions that support them. Understanding those links allows scientists to predict where birds are likely to be able to survive — and not survive — in the future.
While some species will be able to adapt to shifting climates, many of North America's most familiar and iconic species will not. The national symbol of the United States, Bald Eagle, could see its current summer range decrease by nearly 75 per cent in the next 65 years. Great Northern Diver (aka Common Loon in North America), icon of the north and the state bird of Minnesota, may no longer be able to breed in the lower 48 states by 2080. Baltimore Oriole, state bird of Maryland and mascot for Baltimore's baseball team, may no longer nest in the Mid-Atlantic region, shifting north instead to follow the climatic conditions it requires. Other state birds at risk include Brown Pelican (Louisiana), California Gull (Utah), Hermit Thrush (Vermont), Mountain Bluebird (Idaho and Nevada), Ruffed Grouse (Pennsylvania), Purple Finch (New Hampshire) and Wood Thrush (Washington, D C).
Wood Thrush, the state bird of Washington DC, is in trouble (Photo: Lee Amery)
Terry Root, Nobel Prize-winning Stanford University professor who serves on Audubon's board of directors, commented: "The Audubon study has determined the climate variables that dictate where all North American birds live today and then has brilliantly used climate forecasts to project where birds will most likely occur in the future. We all will see the effects of changing climate in our own backyards. We just cannot ignore such a sobering wake-up call."
"This new North American study is consistent with results from Europe, Africa and Asia, showing that climate change will have profound impacts on the world's birds, with many more species projected to be in trouble than benefiting," said Dr Stuart Butchart, BirdLife's Head of Science. "But it also points to the actions that are needed to help wildlife adapt to a changing environment, including the urgent need to strengthen effective conservation of the world's 12,000 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, the global network of sites that are critical for the conservation of birds and other wildlife."
Among the species that could lose 99 per cent or more of their current North American range by 2080 are American Avocet, Black Rosy-Finch, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Chestnut-collared Longspur, Black-necked Grebe, Northern Gannet, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Trumpeter Swan, White-headed Woodpecker and Yellow Rail.
