As global temperatures continue to rise and ecosystems shift, animals are left with limited options. They must either adjust to the changing conditions in their habitats or relocate to cooler environments. For many species, neither choice is easy – or sometimes even possible.
Ecologists had long assumed birds were among the most adaptable species in a warming world simply because they can fly to higher altitudes or towards global poles. But a new study by researchers from Yale University found that even birds are struggling to stay ahead of rising global temperatures.
The study, which was recently published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, analyzed 20 years of data from 406 bird species across North America. They found that while most birds did shift their ranges northward – by about 40 to 50 miles on average during the summer – the changes weren’t enough to keep up with the rapid pace of climate change.
Birds still experienced significant warming in their new areas when compared with temperatures in their original home range. In fact, warming was about 1.35 degrees Celsius more in summer, and a striking 3.7 degrees more in winter. And some species, especially those with limited flight ranges or specific habitat needs, like the cactus wren, didn’t move at all.
Highly mobile birds like the blue-winged warbler did better, avoiding nearly two degrees of warming by traveling more than 100 miles north. But even they couldn’t completely dodge the heat.
The findings raise serious concerns about whether less mobile species can survive in a warming world, and underscores the urgent need to better understand and manage those most vulnerable to climate-driven extinction.
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Even birds can’t outfly climate change
Photo, posted March 1, 2023, courtesy of Henry via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio