Migratory Species And Climate Change

There is substantial evidence that wildlife is being affected by climate change. As a group migratory wildlife appears to be particularly vulnerable because of the use of multiple habitats. The UNEP Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) is the only global agreement dealing with this problem. This publication, containing contributions from experts around the world, explores the current state of knowledge and what can be done in mitigation. It also has a case study on marine turtles, which are already showing an increased rate of tumours, caused by warmer waters.

"Climate change will increasingly have dramatic impacts on migratory species from whales and dolphins to birds and turtles. According to this report, around a fifth of bird species could be affected by rising sea levels, erosion and greater wave action linked with climate change. Unchecked, climate change will pile on more pressure making it increasingly difficult for the world to meet the 2010 target - to reduce the rate of loss of biodiversity by 2010. The report argues that conserving and more sustainably managing biodiversity in a climatically-changed world, is of the highest economic importance and important in the fight against poverty as well"--Publisher's description.

This report is published as a BTO Research Report and was funded by Defra. It comprises a review of the primary literature on climatic change and its effect on migratory species. It arises from collaboration between the BTO, Aberdeen University and CEH. Extra support and information were provided by participants at the conference "Climatic Change and Migratory Species", held at Madingley Hall, Cambridge on 16 and 17 March 2005

Changes in seasonal movements and population dynamics of migratory birds in response to ongoing changes resulting from global climate changes are a topic of great interest to conservation scientists and birdwatchers around the world. Because of their dependence on specific habitats and resources in different geographic regions at different phases of their annual cycle, migratory species are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. In Bird Migration and Global Change, eminent ecologist George W. Cox brings his extensive experience as a scientist and bird enthusiast to bear in evaluating the capacity of migratory birds to adapt to the challenges of a changing climate. Cox reviews, synthesizes, and interprets recent and emerging science on the subject, beginning with a discussion of climate change and its effect on habitat, and followed by eleven chapters that examine responses of bird types across all regions of the globe. The final four chapters address the evolutionary capacity of birds, and consider how best to shape conservation strategies to protect migratory species in coming decades. The rate of climate change is faster now than at any other moment in recent geological history. How best to manage migratory birds to deal with this challenge is a major conservation issue, and Bird Migration and Global Change is a unique and timely contribution to the literature.

Bird migration is a well-researched phenological event. However, few studies in North America have investigated the effects of climate change and extreme weather on the relationships of migratory avian species and their seasonal resources. This is a critical gap in knowledge that limits our ability to prioritize management and conservation applications throughout the annual cycle. Phenological Synchrony and Bird Migration: Changing Climate and Seasonal Resources in North America explores critical linkages between migratory birds, their seasonal resources, and shifts in climate change and weather events. Gathered from projects conducted during spring or fall migration, the book covers topics such as: Conservation and management considerations for migratory birds throughout the United States with respect to climate change The relation of climate on the wintering grounds to spring migration of short- and long-distance migratory birds The relationships of migratory birds and their seasonal resources, and the nature of these relationships in the face of climate change and extreme weather events at stopover habitats in both spring and fall migration With contributions from over 40 researchers, the book will help readers understand the effects of climate change on migratory birds and will provide a solid basis for further inquiry and research in this area.

"Langston focuses on three ghost species in the Great Lakes watershed-woodland caribou, common loons, and lake sturgeon. Their traces are still present in DNA, small fragmented populations, or in lone individuals. We can still restore them, if we make the hard choices necessary for them to survive"--

"Effects of Climate Change on Birds provides an exhaustive and up-to-date synthesis of the science of climate change as it relates to birds." -- Back cover.