Climate change threatens Europe's birds
A 'Climatic atlas of European breeding birds' published on 15 January 2008 by UK researchers warns of the calamitous impact of climate change on indigenous birds. Basing their model on the assumption that the global average temperature has increased by about 3°Celsius, the researchers believe that the potential distribution of the average bird species will have shifted nearly 550 kilometres north east by the end of this century. In addition, the distribution area will be reduced in size by a fifth as global warming will leave some birds with few areas of suitable climate. The atlas also shows that three quarters of Europe's nesting birds are likely to suffer a decline in range. Some species that are currently endemic to southern Europe, such as the purple heron or the scops owl, might find a new home further north, for example in southern Britain. But birds such as the Scottish crossbill, living only in Scotland's conifer woods, and the azure-winged magpie, found in the south western part of the Iberian Peninsula, might suffer global extinction as their habitat grows smaller. 'Climatic change and wildlife's responses to it are difficult to forecast with any precision, but this study helps us to appreciate the magnitude and scope of possible impacts and to identify species at most risk and those in need of urgent help and protection,' says Professor Rhys Green of the University of Cambridge, UK, one of the authors of the atlas. 'Although the details both of future climatic changes and of species' responses to these changes remain uncertain, the potential magnitude of both is clear, and is such that the adaptation measures necessary to conserve European biodiversity only can be achieved through urgent international action,' adds Professor Brian Huntley of Durham University, UK. In order to counter the effects of global warming, the researchers stress the need for human intervention by sustaining existing populations and providing opportunities for them to colonise new areas. 'Some level of climate change is now inevitable and we must help wildlife become resilient to the worst impacts by increasing investment in creating larger areas for nature and making the countryside more wildlife-friendly to allow species to move to areas where the climate becomes suitable,' says Dr Mark Avery, conservation director at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). The atlas is a joint project of Durham University, the University of Cambridge, the RSPB, BirdLife International and the European Bird Census Council (EBCC).
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