More than 500 bird species could go extinct due to climate change
Stopping the destruction of habitats would save the most birds overall. (Photo: Getty)
The study found that even eliminating human-induced threats like habitat destruction, hunting, and climate change would not fully prevent bird extinctions."Many birds are already so threatened that reducing human impacts alone won't save them. These species need special recovery programmes, like breeding projects and habitat restoration, to survive," said Kerry Stewart, the study's lead author.The research, which examined nearly 10,000 bird species using IUCN Red List data, identified that larger birds are particularly vulnerable to hunting and climate change, while those with wider wings are more affected by habitat loss.advertisementKerry Stewart further elaborated on the urgency of the situation, stating, "We face a bird extinction crisis unprecedented in modern times. We need immediate action to reduce human threats across habitats and targeted rescue programmes for the most unique and endangered species."Professor Manuela Gonzalez-Suarez, senior author of the study, emphasised the need for additional conservation efforts: "Stopping threats is not enough, as many as 250-350 species will require complementary conservation measures, such as breeding programmes and habitat restoration, if they are to survive the next century." She added that prioritising conservation for the most unusual birds could preserve a significant diversity of bird shapes and sizes, which is crucial for maintaining ecosystem health. The findings indicate that stopping habitat destruction would save the greatest number of birds overall. However, reducing hunting and preventing accidental deaths would be pivotal in preserving birds with more unique features, which play significant roles in ecosystem functions.The study concludes that a combination of protective and proactive conservation strategies is essential to mitigate the looming extinction crisis and to maintain the ecological balance these bird species support.- EndsMust Watch
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More than 500 bird species could go extinct due to climate change
Climate change and habitat loss are poised to drive over 500 bird species to extinction within the next century, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of in Nature Ecology & Evolution, the study points to the severity of the threat, revealing that this number is three times greater than all recorded bird extinctions since 1500 species such as the bare-necked umbrellabird and the helmeted hornbill are among those at risk, with their loss expected to significantly impact ecosystems reliant on these birds for essential functions. Stopping the destruction of habitats would save the most birds overall. (Photo: Getty) The study found that even eliminating human-induced threats like habitat destruction, hunting, and climate change would not fully prevent bird extinctions."Many birds are already so threatened that reducing human impacts alone won't save them. These species need special recovery programmes, like breeding projects and habitat restoration, to survive," said Kerry Stewart, the study's lead research, which examined nearly 10,000 bird species using IUCN Red List data, identified that larger birds are particularly vulnerable to hunting and climate change, while those with wider wings are more affected by habitat Stewart further elaborated on the urgency of the situation, stating, "We face a bird extinction crisis unprecedented in modern times. We need immediate action to reduce human threats across habitats and targeted rescue programmes for the most unique and endangered species."Professor Manuela Gonzalez-Suarez, senior author of the study, emphasised the need for additional conservation efforts: "Stopping threats is not enough, as many as 250-350 species will require complementary conservation measures, such as breeding programmes and habitat restoration, if they are to survive the next century." She added that prioritising conservation for the most unusual birds could preserve a significant diversity of bird shapes and sizes, which is crucial for maintaining ecosystem health. The findings indicate that stopping habitat destruction would save the greatest number of birds overall. However, reducing hunting and preventing accidental deaths would be pivotal in preserving birds with more unique features, which play significant roles in ecosystem study concludes that a combination of protective and proactive conservation strategies is essential to mitigate the looming extinction crisis and to maintain the ecological balance these bird species support.- EndsMust Watch
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7 days ago
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