species decline
Credit: Ross Tsai/Flickr
Bird populations in the Amazon are declining without clear cause
Bird populations in the Amazon's Yasuní Biosphere Reserve have mysteriously dropped by half over 23 years, with climate change being a potential culprit.
In short:
- The number of birds in Ecuador's Yasuní Biosphere Reserve has halved, according to a recent study.
- Researchers suspect climate change as the primary cause, despite the area being largely undisturbed by human activity.
- Similar declines have been observed in other tropical regions, indicating a broader environmental issue.
Key quote:
“There’s something called the dawn chorus, which is typical in tropical forests where lots of birds sing just before dawn. And over the last 10 years, that has just been going quieter and quieter with very few birds singing in the morning.”
— John Blake, University of Florida professor
Why this matters:
This decline in bird populations, even in pristine habitats, is indicative of the far-reaching impacts of climate change, raising alarms about the future of biodiversity in tropical ecosystems. For more, read our series, Winged Warnings: What birds are telling us about our planet's health.
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Credit: Don Henderson/Flickr
Protecting species from extinction is not enough
The loss of species abundance poses a serious threat to biodiversity and ecosystem functionality.
In short:
- Abalone populations have collapsed due to overfishing and environmental changes, including a marine heatwave and a sunflower sea star epidemic.
- The concerning issue is not species extinction but the collapse of wildlife populations, disrupting ecosystems.
- The decline of species like abalone signifies a broader biodiversity crisis driven by human activities such as pollution and habitat destruction.
Key quote:
"The more we slow climate change, the more evolutionary storylines can reach into the future. In other words, climate policy is biodiversity policy."
— John Reid, founder, Conservation Strategy Fund.
Why this matters:
The decline in species abundance affects ecosystem stability and human cultural heritage. Addressing this crisis requires comprehensive conservation strategies that go beyond preventing extinction to ensure the health and abundance of wildlife populations. Read more: The planet’s largest ecosystems could collapse faster than we thought.
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Credit: VectorMine/BigStock Photo ID: 444259331
Silence of the natural world signals a biodiversity crisis
Studies reveal that natural soundscapes are diminishing due to loss of species and ecosystem degradation.
In short:
- Ecoacoustics research indicates a global reduction in the natural sounds of ecosystems due to declining species diversity and abundance.
- Declines in the diversity and intensity of natural sounds have been documented across North America and Europe over the past 25 years.
- Experts emphasize that sounds like bird calls and insect hums are vanishing, warning of "acoustic fossils" if protective measures are not taken.
Key quote:
"The changes are profound. And they are happening everywhere."
— Bernie Krause, U.S. soundscape recordist
Why this matters:
The disappearance of natural sounds not only signifies a loss of biodiversity but also marks a concerning trend in environmental health, affecting global ecosystems and human wellbeing. Read more: The health of wildlife is inseparable from our own.
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Credit: Bruce Fingerhood/Flickr
Resurrecting butterflies: A tale of hope and survival through conservation efforts
Metamorphosis is both a biological process and a metaphor for the lives of the citizen-scientist inmates of Mission Creek.
In short:
- Incarcerated women at Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women are raising Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies, an endangered species, as part of a conservation effort.
- The program, a collaboration with The Evergreen State College and Washington State’s Sustainability in Prisons Project, aims to bolster the dwindling populations of this key species.
- The work provides the women a sense of purpose and connection to the larger environmental restoration effort, highlighting the importance of nurturing and conservation even in unlikely settings.
Key quote:
“When I told my family what I do, they said, ‘we’re so proud of you, that you are doing something that has such a profound mission in the world.’"
— Brooke, a butterfly technician and inmate
Why this matters:
The conservation of Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies is vital not only for the survival of a beautiful species but also as a bellwether for the health of our ecosystems. Innovative partnerships and dedicated individuals can make a significant impact on conservation efforts. Insects are in decline. How to avert the insect apocalypse.
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Newsletter
Credit: Victoria Pickering/Flickr
Migratory species face a global decline, UN warns
Nearly half of the world's migratory animals are declining, with many at risk of extinction, highlighting the urgent need for global conservation efforts.
In short:
- About 44% of migratory species are decreasing in population due to habitat loss, illegal activities, pollution, and climate change.
- The United Nations report emphasizes the critical role of migration in species survival and the interconnectedness of ecosystems across borders.
- Conservation measures and international cooperation are being discussed to protect these species and their habitats.
Key quote:
"Migration is essential for some species. If you cut the migration, you’re going to kill the species."
— Stuart Pimm, ecologist at Duke University.
Why this matters:
The decline of migratory species is emblematic of broader environmental issues that affect global biodiversity and ecosystem health. Migratory animals face a perilous journey, often navigating a toxic trail amongst threatened habitat.
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Credit: Adam Baker/Flickr
This B.C. bighorn sheep herd’s fight for survival
Between a mysterious illness, dangerous weather and vanishing habitat, a herd of bighorn sheep almost disappeared from Tobacco Plains Indian Band’s backyard. To bring them back means returning the land to how it looked generations ago.
Credit: Ninara/Flickr
Africa’s birds of prey are in decline, a new study finds
Numbers have dropped, in some cases sharply, for nearly all of the 42 raptor species surveyed in sub-Saharan regions.
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