Latest news with #NatureEcologyandEvolution
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
‘Extinction crisis' could see 500 bird species vanish within a century
More than 500 bird species could vanish within the next century, researchers have found, calling for urgent 'special recovery programmes' such as captive breeding and habitat restoration to rescue unique species. Birds such as the puffin, European turtle dove and great bustard will be among those to disappear from our skies if trends continue, according to the paper. Their loss threatens to unravel ecosystems across the globe. 'We face a bird extinction crisis unprecedented in modern times,' said Kerry Stewart, lead author of the research from the University of Reading, who described the headline finding of the paper as a 'shocking statistic'. It is triple the number of birds that went extinct in the previous 500 years. The paper, published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, examined data from nearly 10,000 birds (almost all of those known to exist) and used IUCN data to predict extinction risk. Habitat loss – driven mainly by the expansion and intensification of agriculture – emerged as the most significant driver of species extinction. But even if habitat loss, hunting and climate breakdown stopped today, about 250 species could still die out, as they are already teetering on the brink of extinction. Local conservation efforts may feel small but they are essential to save a species from going extinct, the researchers found. '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 Stewart. Conservation success stories show it is possible to bring species back from the brink of extinction. By 1987, the California condor – North America's largest bird – had gone extinct in the wild. There were about 22 birds in captivity, which were then bred and released; now there is a population of 350 in the wild. In the UK, the bittern – a shy-reed-dwelling bird – went extinct as a breeding bird in the 1870s because its wetland habitat had been drained for farming. Now, thanks to habitat restoration, their population is at its highest in more than 200 years, with more than 280 booming male bitterns recorded last year. Prof Manuela González-Suárez, senior author of the study at the University of Reading, said: 'Stopping threats is not enough. As many as 250-350 species will require complementary conservation measures … to survive the next century.' Related: Bringing back the birds: the 'ghost woodlands' transforming England's barren sheep fells The latest State of the World's Birds report found nearly half of the planet's bird species are in decline. Habitat loss, logging, invasive species, exploitation of natural resources and climate breakdown were highlighted as the main threats. 'There is no magic bullet for solving the extinction crisis,' said Stuart Butchart, chief scientist at BirdLife International, who was not involved in the research. 'Protected areas can play a key role, while abating threats from agriculture, logging, fisheries, hunting and other sources is essential. However, some species require targeted recovery efforts, involving interventions like captive breeding and release, translocation, or supplementary feeding, to overcome barriers to recovery. 'This paper adds to a growing body of evidence showing that actions across the whole framework will be necessary to stop human actions from driving species extinct.' Find more age of extinction coverage here, and follow the biodiversity reporters Phoebe Weston and Patrick Greenfield in the Guardian app for more nature coverage
Hans India
a day ago
- Science
- Hans India
Over 500 bird species face extinction risk in the next 100 years: Study
New Delhi: More than 500 bird species are likely to be wiped out from the face of the Earth in the next 100 years, due to climate change and habitat loss, according to a study on Tuesday. Researchers from the University of Reading in the UK noted that the number is three times higher than all bird extinctions recorded since 1500 CE. The study, published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, reveals that the bare-necked umbrellabird, the helmeted hornbill, and the yellow-bellied sunbird-asity are the most vulnerable. The extinction of these birds would greatly reduce the variety of bird shapes and sizes worldwide, harming ecosystems that depend on unique birds like these for vital functions. Importantly, the scientists found that even with complete protection from human-caused threats like habitat loss, hunting, and climate change, about 250 bird species could still die out. '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 lead author Kerry Stewart, from the University of Reading. "We face a bird extinction crisis unprecedented in modern times. We need immediate action to reduce human threats across habitats and target rescue programmes for the most unique and endangered species," Stewart added. The researchers examined nearly 10,000 bird species using data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. They predicted extinction risk based on the threats each species faces. The study found that large-bodied birds are more vulnerable to hunting and climate change, while birds with broad wings suffer more from habitat loss. Further, the team also detailed the conservation actions to preserve both the number of bird species and their ecological functions. Beyond stopping the threats, the team called for complementary conservation measures, such as breeding programmes and habitat restoration to help as many as 250-350 species survive the next century. "Prioritising conservation programmes for just 100 of the most unusual, threatened birds could save 68 per cent of the variety in bird shapes and sizes. This approach could help to keep ecosystems healthy,' said Professor Manuela Gonzalez-Suarez, senior author of the study at the University of Reading. Stopping the destruction of habitats would save most birds overall. However, reducing hunting and preventing accidental deaths would save birds with more unusual features, which are especially important for ecosystem health, the team said.
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Science
- Irish Examiner
‘Extinction crisis' could see 500 bird species vanish within a century
More than 500 bird species could vanish within the next century, researchers have found, calling for urgent 'special recovery programmes' such as captive breeding and habitat restoration to rescue unique species. Birds such as the puffin, European turtle dove, and great bustard will be among those to disappear from our skies if trends continue, according to the paper. Their loss threatens to unravel ecosystems across the globe. 'We face a bird extinction crisis unprecedented in modern times,' said Kerry Stewart, lead author of the research from England's University of Reading, who described the headline finding of the paper as a 'shocking statistic'. It is triple the number of birds that went extinct in the previous 500 years. The paper, published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, examined data from nearly 10,000 birds (almost all of those known to exist) and used International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) data to predict extinction risk. Habitat loss – driven mainly by the expansion and intensification of agriculture – emerged as the most significant driver of species extinction. But even if habitat loss, hunting and climate breakdown stopped today, about 250 species could still die out, as they are already teetering on the brink of extinction. Local conservation efforts may feel small but they are essential to save a species from going extinct, the researchers found. Ms Stewart said: 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.' Conservation success stories show it is possible to bring species back from the brink of extinction. By 1987, the California condor – North America's largest bird – had gone extinct in the wild. There were about 22 birds in captivity, which were then bred and released; now there is a population of 350 in the wild. Professor Manuela González-Suárez, senior author of the study at the University of Reading, said: 'Stopping threats is not enough. As many as 250-350 species will require complementary conservation measures … to survive the next century.' The latest State of the World's Birds report found nearly half of the planet's bird species are in decline. Habitat loss, logging, invasive species, exploitation of natural resources and climate breakdown were highlighted as the main threats. 'There is no magic bullet for solving the extinction crisis,' said Stuart Butchart, chief scientist at BirdLife International, who was not involved in the research. 'Protected areas can play a key role, while abating threats from agriculture, logging, fisheries, hunting and other sources is essential. However, some species require targeted recovery efforts, involving interventions like captive breeding and release, translocation, or supplementary feeding, to overcome barriers to recovery." - The Guardian
