鸟类迁徙的距离增加了!

鸟类迁徙的距离增加了!

来自国际鸟盟的消息:

英国的研究发鸟类迁徙的距离因气候转变而增加, 有些甚至增加了400公里! 由于鸟类目前基本上已用尽身体的力量去进行迁徙, 因此任何影响它们在途中休息或补给的因素都会直接威胁它们的生命. 国际鸟盟的"Born to Travel" 项目, 希望通过各地伙伴的合作, 为迁徙鸟儿提供更安全的迁徙路线. 文章内还有一段介绍这个项目的片段连结.

资料来源: http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2009/05/sylvia_warbler_declines.html

Simba 2009-6-9 00:55

原文

Bird migrations set to increase

28-05-2009

Bird migrations are likely to get longer according to the first ever study of the potential impacts of climate change on the breeding and winter ranges of migrant birds. The length of some migrations could increase by as much as 400 km. “The predicted future temperature changes and the associated changes in habitat could have serious consequences for many species”, said lead-author Nathalie Doswald of Durham University (UK).

A team of researchers - led by Durham University and with funding from the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK) and Natural Environment Research Council – looked at the migration patterns of European Sylvia warblers, a group of birds that are common residents and visitors to Europe, like Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis and Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla.

“Our findings show that marathon migrations for some birds are set to become even longer journeys”, said Dr Stephen Willis – team leader from Durham University. “This is bad news for birds like the Common Whitethroat”.

“The added distance is a considerable threat” —Dr Stephen Willis, Durham University (UK)

Some 500 million birds are estimated to migrate to Europe and Asia from Africa. Birds weighing as little as nine grams undertake the annual migration of thousands of miles between the two continents to find food and suitable climate.

“Most warblers come here in spring and summer time to take advantage of the surplus of insects, and leave for warmer climes in the autumn”, added Dr Willis. “From 2071 to 2100, nine out of the 17 species we looked at are projected to face longer migrations, particularly birds that cross the Sahara desert”.

Co-author of the research paper, Professor Rhys Green of Cambridge University and RSPB said: "These tiny birds make amazing journeys, pushing themselves to the limits of endurance. Anything that makes those journeys longer or more dependent on rare and vulnerable pit-stop habitats used for refuelling on migration could mean the difference between life and death.”

“BirdLife and its Partners are working to provide a safer journey for migratory birds” —Richard Grimmett, BirdLife’s Head of Conservation

"We have already seen evidence that birds' ranges are moving north to track suitable climate conditions in the way predicted by past modelling”, noted Professor Green. “This latest research suggests they will face an increase in the length of an already arduous journey.”

In response to worrying declines of many migratory species, BirdLife has launched the Born to Travel Campaign to protect migratory birds along the African-Eurasian flyway. “These birds face many threats during their incredible annual journeys”, said Richard Grimmett – BirdLife’s Head of Conservation.

“BirdLife and its Partners are working to provide a safer journey for migratory birds”, added Mr Grimmett. “We have BirdLife Partners in over 70 countries across the migration routes between Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and are working together to tackle threats to migratory songbirds like agricultural intensification, desertification, deforestation and climate change”.

Simba 2009-6-9 00:58

这个也很有趣，不少人说气候变化（温暖化）会令很多鸟类的迁徙路线缩短，因为不用飞到很南已经能解决食物问题。也有人说干脆不迁徙的可能对繁衍下一代更有利。可见事例是因地点有异的。