DOCSLIB.ORG

The Effects of Climate Change on Tropical Birds ⇑ Çag˘An H

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Effects of Climate Change on Tropical Birds ⇑ Çag˘An H Biological Conservation 148 (2012) 1–18 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Biological Conservation journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/biocon Review The effects of climate change on tropical birds ⇑ Çag˘an H. Sßekerciog˘lu a,b, , Richard B. Primack c, Janice Wormworth d a Department of Biology, University of Utah, 257 South, 1400 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0840, USA b KuzeyDog˘a Derneg˘i, Ismail_ Aytemiz Cad., Istasyon_ Mah., 36200 Kars, Turkey c Biology Department, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA d 6-16 St. Neot Ave., Potts Point, NSW 2011, Australia article info abstract Article history: Birds are among the most widely studied organisms on earth and represent an important indicator group Received 17 May 2011 for learning about the effects of climate change – particularly in regard to the effects of climate change on Received in revised form 12 October 2011 tropical ecosystems. In this review, we assess the potential impacts of climate change on tropical birds Accepted 17 October 2011 and discuss the factors that affect species’ ability to adapt and survive the impending alterations in hab- Available online 22 February 2012 itat availability. Tropical mountain birds, species without access to higher elevations, coastal forest birds, and restricted-range species are especially vulnerable. Some birds may be especially susceptible to Keywords: increased rainfall seasonality and to extreme weather events, such as heat waves, cold spells, and tropical Avian ecology cyclones. Birds that experience limited temperature variation and have low basal metabolic rates will be Biodiversity hotspots Climate change the most prone to the physiological effects of warming temperatures and heat waves. Mostly unknown Conservation species’ interactions, indirect effects, and synergies of climate change with other threats, such as habitat Deforestation loss, emerging diseases, invasive species, and hunting will exacerbate the effects of climate change on Endemism tropical birds. In some models habitat loss can increase bird extinctions caused by climate change by Evolution 50%. 3.5 °C surface warming by the year 2100 may result in 600–900 extinctions of land bird species, Global warming 89% of which occur in the tropics. Depending on the amount of future habitat loss, each degree of surface Ornithology warming could lead to approximately 100–500 additional bird extinctions. Protected areas will be more REDD important than ever, but they need to be designed with climate change in mind. Although 92% of Tropical biology currently protected areas are likely to become climatically unsuitable in a century, for example only 7 or 8 priority species’ preferred climatic envelopes are projected to be entirely lost from the African Important Bird Area network. Networks of protected areas need to incorporate extensive topographical diversity, cover wide elevational ranges, have high connectivity, and integrate human-dominated landscapes into conservation schemes. Most tropical bird species vulnerable to climate change are not currently considered threatened with extinction, often due to lack of knowledge; systematically and regularly gathering information on the ecology, and current and future distributions of these species is an urgent priority. Locally based, long-term tropical bird monitoring and conservation programs based on adaptive management are essential to help protect birds against climate change. Ó 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Contents 1. Introduction . ........................................................................................................ 2 2. Geography, habitat and range shifts: which species will be most affected? . ............................................... 2 2.1. Montane species . ........................................................................................... 3 2.2. Species of tropical coastal and island ecosystems. ........................................................ 4 2.3. Birds in extensive lowland forests . ........................................................................... 4 2.4. Birds in non-forest habitats . ........................................................................... 4 2.5. Aquatic birds in the tropics . ........................................................................... 4 2.6. Arid zone species. ........................................................................................... 5 2.7. Birds in human-dominated landscapes . ........................................................................... 5 Abbreviations: BMR, basal metabolic rate; IBA, Important Bird Area; IPCC, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; NPP, net primary productivity. ⇑ Corresponding author at: Department of Biology, University of Utah, 257 South, 1400 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0840, USA. Tel.: +1 801 585 1052. E-mail address: [email protected] (Ç.H. Sßekerciog˘lu). 0006-3207/$ - see front matter Ó 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2011.10.019 2 Ç.H. Sßekerciog˘lu et al. / Biological Conservation 148 (2012) 1–18 2.8. Projected impacts of range shifts on tropical birds. .............................................................. 5 2.9. Manakins: a case study. .............................................................................. 6 3. Evolution and adaptation: slow lives in a fast-paced new world . ..................................................... 6 3.1. How physiology and microclimate impact tropical bird species’ ability to adapt. ........................................... 7 3.2. Basal metabolic rate in tropical birds: implications for survival . ........................................... 8 4. Role of mobility and migration . ........................................................................................... 8 5. Interspecific interactions and indirect effects. ........................................................................ 9 5.1. Ecosystem functions and services . .............................................................................. 9 6. Destructive synergies: climate change exacerbates other environmental stressors. ................................. 10 6.1. Habitat loss . ................................................................................................ 10 6.2. Hunting . ................................................................................................ 10 6.3. Invasive species . ................................................................................................ 11 6.4. Emerging diseases and shifting disease vectors . ............................................................. 11 7. Seasonality and variability. .......................................................................................... 11 7.1. Extreme weather events . ............................................................................. 12 8. Discussion. .......................................................................................................... 12 8.1. Future projections and models . ............................................................................. 12 8.2. The need for more tropical research . ............................................................................. 13 8.3. The value of protected areas for tropical birds: planning for future change . .......................................... 13 8.4. Research and management. ............................................................................. 14 Acknowledgements . .......................................................................................... 14 References . .......................................................................................................... 14 1. Introduction With these in mind, we have conducted an extensive review of the literature on the effects of climate change on tropical birds. We Climate change is increasingly recognized, along with habitat searched the Web of Knowledge™ with the keywords climat⁄ AND destruction, as one of the most serious and widespread threats to chang⁄ AND bird⁄ and their variations. We focused on the studies biological diversity (IPCC, 2007). As scientists search for the best on tropical birds and also read the relevant articles cited in and cit- biological indicators of human-induced climate change, birds offer ing these articles. In a few cases, where tropical examples were not two advantages: first, they are the best-known class of organisms available, we gave temperate examples of phenomena that should when it comes to climate research (Wormworth and Sßekerciog˘lu, be watched for in tropical systems. Two of us (ÇHSß and JW) spent 2011), and second, millions of citizen-scientist birdwatchers the past two years reviewing and summarizing the literature on track them across the globe, contributing to extensive datasets climate change effects on birds for a recent book (Wormworth (Kinzelbach, 1995; www.ebird.org; www.worldbirds.org). For and Sßekerciog˘lu, 2011). example, the arrival dates of migratory birds feature prominently Our main goals are to outline the existing and potential effects in the long phenological records of Europe, in part thanks to natural- of climate change on tropical bird communities, to examine why ists like Robert Marsham who began compiling ‘Indications of certain bird species are more susceptible to climate change, and Spring’ in 1736 (Lehikoinen et al., 2004). to discuss how this information can be used to improve the conser- As a well-studied, globally-distributed indicator group, birds’
Load more

Recommended publications
  • BIRD CONSERVATION the Magazine of American Bird Conservancy Fall 2012 BIRD’S EYE VIEW
    BIRD CONSERVATION The Magazine of American Bird Conservancy Fall 2012 BIRD’S EYE VIEW Is Species Conservation Enough? How should we as conservationists decide which birds deserve protection? Where should we draw the line that tells us which groups of birds are “unique” enough to merit saving? t one extreme, a conserva- becomes extinct? Do we care about tion skeptic might insist that the continuation of these evolution- Apreserving one type of bird ary processes, or do we take a pass from each genus is sufficient. At the on preserving them because these other, passionate lovers of wildlife birds are not sufficiently “unique”? may not accept the loss of even one When in doubt about whether to individual. A more typical birder take conservation action, I fall back might nominate the species as the on the precautionary principle, key conservation level because the which says, in essence, that when concept of species is familiar to us. l American Dipper: USFWS uncertain about the potential harm- Science gets us closer to the answers, ful effect of an action, the prudent but it cannot draw the line: the purpose of science is course is the conservative one. or, as aldo Leopold to gather knowledge, not to make decisions for us. wrote, “Save all of the pieces.” Furthermore, like life itself, the science of taxonomy is I say, save the Black Hills Dipper regardless of which in a constant state of change. Baltimore and Bullock’s taxonomic opinion prevails; and while we are at it, we Orioles have been “lumped” into Northern Oriole and ought to save Wayne’s Warbler, the rhododendron- then “split” again, all based on the most current scien- dwelling Swainson’s Warbler, and the tree-nesting tific opinion.
    [Show full text]
  • Bird Species and Climate Change
    Bird Species and Climate Change The Global Status Report: A synthesis of current scientific understanding of anthropogenic climate change impacts on global bird species now, and projected future effects. Report Climate Risk Climate A Climate Risk Pty Ltd are specialist advisors to business and government on risk, opportunity and adaptation to climate change. Climate Risk www.climaterisk.net Climate Risk Pty Limited (Australia) Level 1, 36 Lauderdale Avenue Fairlight, NSW 2094 Tel: + 61 2 8003 4514 Brisbane: + 61 7 3102 4513 www.climaterisk.net Climate Risk Europe Limited London: + 44 20 8144 4510 Manchester: + 44 16 1273 2474 This report was prepared by: Janice Wormworth BSc MA [email protected] Dr Karl Mallon BSc PhD Tel: + 61 412 257 521 [email protected] Bird Species and Climate Change: The Global Status Report version 1.0 A report to: World Wide Fund for Nature The authors of this report would like to thank our peer reviewers, including Dr. Lara Hansen and Prof. Rik Leemans. We would also like to thank Corin Millais, Paul Toni and Gareth Johnston for their input. ISBN: 0-646-46827-8 Designed by Digital Eskimo www.digitaleskimo.net Disclaimer While every effort has been made to ensure that this document and the sources of information used here are free of error, the authors: Are not responsible, or liable for, the accuracy, currency and reliability of any information provided in this publication; Make no express or implied representation of warranty that any estimate of forecast will be achieved or that any statement
    [Show full text]
  • Climate Change, Elevational Range Shifts, and Bird Extinctions
    Contributed Paper Climate Change, Elevational Range Shifts, and Bird Extinctions CAGAN H. SEKERCIOGLU,∗‡ STEPHEN H. SCHNEIDER,∗ JOHN P. FAY,† AND SCOTT R. LOARIE† ∗Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, 371 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305, U.S.A. †Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC 27707-0328, U.S.A. Abstract: Limitations imposed on species ranges by the climatic, ecological, and physiological effects of elevation are important determinants of extinction risk. We modeled the effects of elevational limits on the extinction risk of landbirds, 87% of all bird species. Elevational limitation of range size explained 97% of the variation in the probability of being in a World Conservation Union category of extinction risk. Our model that combined elevational ranges, four Millennium Assessment habitat-loss scenarios, and an intermediate estimate of surface warming of 2.8◦ C, projected a best guess of 400–550 landbird extinctions, and that approximately 2150 additional species would be at risk of extinction by 2100. For Western Hemisphere landbirds, intermediate extinction estimates based on climate-induced changes in actual distributions ranged from 1.3% (1.1◦ C warming) to 30.0% (6.4◦ C warming) of these species. Worldwide, every degree of warming projected a nonlinear increase in bird extinctions of about 100–500 species. Only 21% of the species predicted to become extinct in our scenarios are currently considered threatened with extinction. Different habitat-loss and surface-warming scenarios predicted substantially different futures for landbird species. To improve the precision of climate-induced extinction estimates, there is an urgent need for high-resolution measurements of shifts in the elevational ranges of species.
    [Show full text]
  • Human Impacts on the Rates of Recent, Present, and Future Bird Extinctions
    Human impacts on the rates of recent, present, and future bird extinctions Stuart Pimm*†, Peter Raven†‡, Alan Peterson§, Çag˘anH.S¸ ekerciog˘lu¶, and Paul R. Ehrlich¶ *Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University, Box 90328, Durham, NC 27708; ‡Missouri Botanical Garden, P.O. Box 299, St. Louis, MO 63166; §P.O. Box 1999, Walla Walla, WA 99362; and ¶Center for Conservation Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, 371 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305-5020 Contributed by Peter Raven, June 4, 2006 Unqualified, the statement that Ϸ1.3% of the Ϸ10,000 presently ‘‘missing in action,’’ not recently recorded in its native habitat known bird species have become extinct since A.D. 1500 yields an that human actions have largely destroyed. This assumption estimate of Ϸ26 extinctions per million species per year (or 26 prevents terminating conservation efforts prematurely, even as E͞MSY). This is higher than the benchmark rate of Ϸ1E͞MSY it again underestimates the total number of extinctions. Finally, before human impacts, but is a serious underestimate. First, rapidly declining species will lose most of their populations and Polynesian expansion across the Pacific also exterminated many thus their functional roles within ecosystems long before their species well before European explorations. Second, three factors actual demise (3, 4). increase the rate: (i) The number of known extinctions before 1800 We explore the often-unstated assumptions about extinction is increasing as taxonomists describe new species from skeletal numbers to understand the various estimates. Starting before remains. (ii) One should calculate extinction rates over the years 1500 and the period of first human contact with bird species, we since taxonomists described the species.
    [Show full text]
  • Extinction Rates in North American Freshwater Fishes, 19002010
    Extinction Rates in North American Freshwater Fishes, 1900–2010 Author(s): Noel M. Burkhead Reviewed work(s): Source: BioScience, Vol. 62, No. 9 (September 2012), pp. 798-808 Published by: University of California Press on behalf of the American Institute of Biological Sciences Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/bio.2012.62.9.5 . Accessed: 21/09/2012 12:59 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp . JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected]. University of California Press and American Institute of Biological Sciences are collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to BioScience. http://www.jstor.org Articles Articles Extinction Rates in North American Freshwater Fishes, 1900–2010 NOEL M. BURKHEAD Widespread evidence shows that the modern rates of extinction in many plants and animals exceed background rates in the fossil record. In the present article, I investigate this issue with regard to North American freshwater fishes. From 1898 to 2006, 57 taxa became extinct, and three distinct populations were extirpated from the continent. Since 1989, the numbers of extinct North American fishes have increased by 25%. From the end of the nineteenth century to the present, modern extinctions varied by decade but significantly increased after 1950 (post-1950s mean = 7.5 extinct taxa per decade).
    [Show full text]
  • Passenger Pigeon of Living Passenger Pigeons in Penn- Ectopistes Migratorius Sylvania Were in 1906
    STATUS: Extinct; the last reports Passenger Pigeon of living passenger pigeons in Penn- Ectopistes migratorius sylvania were in 1906. The last known living passenger pigeon died at 1 p.m. September 1, 1914, in the Cincinnati Zoological Garden. The bird — named ―Martha‖ — was 29 years old. IDENTIFYING CHARACTERIS- TICS: A large dove; about 16 inches long, with a two-foot wing span; the head was slate blue with a black beak and red eyes; crimson feet; 12 tail feathers; gray to blue upper side; sides and back of neck, metallic golden violet; reddish- brown from throat to belly; white belly. Females were smaller than males. The birds weighed 9-12 ounces, two to three times the size of a mourning dove. BIOLOGY/NATURAL HISTORY: Passenger pigeons were once an abundant nester in the Common- wealth. Their North American popu- lation numbered as many as five billion birds when colonists arrived and comprised 25 to 40 percent of America’s total wild bird popula- tion. They captivated early residents with their spring and fall migrations. They ranged over eastern North America from Hudson’s Bay south to the Gulf of Mexico, and west into the Mississippi River valley in mixed hardwood forests. Hunters and market hunters alike pursued them with reckless abandon. The birds were trapped, shot, netted and clubbed; even the young, called "squabs," were knocked from nests with poles, or the trees holding their nests were cut down, and they, too, were collected for market. For years, the flocks seemingly withstood the losses. After 30 years of observation, John J.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 18 the Third Wave Island Birds Are Especially Vulnerable To
    Chapter 18 The Third Wave Island birds are especially vulnerable to extinction because they inhabit small areas, have small population sizes or both. On the continents, there are far greater areas to inhabit, and huge population sizes are more common. Continents generally have longer and more diverse geological histories than oceanic islands. With more time, area, climatic changes, topographic variation, and habitat diversity, the continental biota evolves with a different dynamic than do most island biotas. So, continents are home to far greater numbers of species and they are more strongly buffered against extinction. Around 90% of the bird species that became extinct in the Holocene were endemic to islands1. Many others remain threatened or endangered today. A 1994 survey reported roughly 250 endangered bird species; over half are island endemics. But the proportion of endangered and threatened island birds is gradually diminishing, because most vulnerable island birds are already extinct and the number of endangered continental species is rising rapidly. Stanley Temple of the University of Wisconsin has observed that today the locus of bird extinction is shifting. “Although the majority of the world’s endangered species still come from islands, it is clear that the process of extinction has been shifted geographically from relatively low-diversity island avifaunas to species-rich continental areas and habitats that support the world’s greatest variety of bird life. As the numbers of endangered and extinct birds from these areas continue to expand, there will be an unprecedented reduction in the diversity of birds on earth.”2 This third pulse of Quaternary dinosaur extinction may ultimately prove the most severe of all.
    [Show full text]
  • Human Predation Contributed to the Extinction of the Australian Megafaunal Bird Genyornis Newtoni B47 Ka
    ARTICLE Received 30 Jul 2015 | Accepted 16 Dec 2015 | Published 29 Jan 2016 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10496 OPEN Human predation contributed to the extinction of the Australian megafaunal bird Genyornis newtoni B47 ka Gifford Miller1,2,3, John Magee4, Mike Smith5, Nigel Spooner6,7, Alexander Baynes8, Scott Lehman1, Marilyn Fogel9, Harvey Johnston10, Doug Williams11, Peter Clark12,z, Christopher Florian1,2, Richard Holst13 & Stephen DeVogel1 Although the temporal overlap between human dispersal across Australia and the disappearance of its largest animals is well established, the lack of unambiguous evidence for human–megafauna interactions has led some to question a human role in megafaunal extinction. Here we show that diagnostic burn patterns on eggshell fragments of the megafaunal bird Genyornis newtoni, found at 4200 sites across Australia, were created by humans discarding eggshell in and around transient fires, presumably made to cook the eggs. Dating by three methods restricts their occurrence to between 53.9 and 43.4 ka, and likely before 47 ka. Dromaius (emu) eggshell occur frequently in deposits from 4100 ka to present; burnt Dromaius eggshell first appear in deposits the same age as those with burnt Genyornis eggshell, and then continually to modern time. Harvesting of their eggs by humans would have decreased Genyornis reproductive success, contributing to the bird’s extinction by B47 ka. 1 Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0450, USA. 2 Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0399, USA. 3 Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia 6102, Australia. 4 Research School Earth Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia.
    [Show full text]
  • Extinction and the Practice of Preventing Them
    1 CHAPTER 10 Extinctions and the practice of preventing them Stuart L. Pimm and Clinton N. Jenkins In this chapter, we will outline why we consider the source of genes to protect crops from disease. species extinction to be the most important prob- Genetic uniformity can be catastrophic — the lem conservation science must address. Species famous example is the potato famine in Ireland extinction is irreversible, is progressing at a high in the 1840s. rate and is poised to accelerate. We outline the We simply do not know the genetic diversity of global features of extinctions — how fast and enough species for it to provide a practical measure where they occur. Such considerations should for mapping diversity at a large scale. There is, guide global allocation of conservation efforts; however, a rapidly increasing literature on studies they do to some extent, though the priorities of of the genetic diversity of what were once thought some global conservation organizations leave to be single species and are now known to be much to be desired. several. These studies can significantly alter our We conclude by asking how to go from these actions, pointing as they sometimes do to previous- insights to what tools might be used in a practical ly unrecognized species that need our attention. way. That requires a translation from scales of Martiny (Box 10.1) argues for the importance of about 1 million km2 to mere tens of km2 at distinct populations within species, where the di- which most conservation actions take place. versity is measured simply geographically. She Brooks (Chapter 11) considers this topic in some argues, inter alia, that the loss of local populations detail, and we shall add only a few comments.
    [Show full text]
  • Island Extinctions: Processes, Patterns, and Potential for Ecosystem Restoration
    Island extinctions: processes, patterns, and potential for ecosystem restoration JAMIE R. WOOD1, JOSEP A. ALCOVER2, TIM M. BLACKBURN3,4, PERE BOVER2, RICHARD P. DUNCAN5, JULIAN P. HUME6, JULIEN LOUYS7, HANNEKE J. M. MEIJER8, JUAN C. RANDO9, JANET M. WILMSHURST1,10 1Landcare Research, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand; 2Institut Mediterrani d’Estudis Avançats (CSIC-UIB), Spain; 3Department of Genetics, Evolution & Environment, Centre for Biodiversity & Environment Research, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom; 4Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RY, United Kingdom; 5Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, ACT 2617, Australia; 6Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Akeman St, Tring, Herts HP23 6AP, United Kingdom; 7Department of Archaeology and Natural History, School of Culture, History and Languages, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia; 8University Museum of Bergen, Department of Natural History, University of Bergen, Postboks 7800 5007 Bergen, Norway; 9Departamento de Biología Animal (UDI Zoología), Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain; 10 School of Environment, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. SUMMARY Extinction has altered island ecosystems throughout the late Quaternary. Here, we review the main historic drivers of extinctions on islands, the patterns in extinction chronologies between islands, and the potential for restoring ecosystems through reintroducing extirpated species. While some extinctions have been caused by climatic and environmental change most have been caused by anthropogenic impacts. We propose a general model to describe patterns in these anthropogenic island extinctions. A general model describing patterns in anthropogenic island extinctions is proposed.
    [Show full text]
  • Bird Species and Climate Change © WWF-Australia
    Bird Species and Climate Change © WWF-Australia. All Rights Reserved. This document (version 1.0) is based on a report “Bird Species and Climate Change” prepared by Climate Risk Pty Ltd, international specialists in climate change risk management. For the complete report visit www.climaterisk.net. Climate Risk Europe Limited London: + 44 0 8144 4510 Manchester: + 44 16 173 474 Climate Risk Pty Limited (Australia) Sydney: + 61 8003 4514 Brisbane: + 61 7 310 4513 Authors Janice Wormworth BSc MA Dr Karl Mallon BSc PhD + 61 41 57 51 WWF - Australia GPO Box 58 Sydney, NSW, Australia 001 Tel: +61 981 5515 wwf.org.au www.panda.org/climate Published November 006 by World Wide Fund for Nature Australia. Any reproduction in full or in part of this publication must mention the title and credit the above-mentioned publisher as the copyright owner. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of WWF. Cover image © WWF-Canon, Kevin Schafer Designed by Digital Eskimo www.digitaleskimo.net Bird Species and Climate Change: Global Status Report Bird Species and Climate Change A Summary of The Global Status Report This summary outlines the findings of “Birds Species and Climate Change”, a report to WWF by Climate Risk Pty Ltd, which provides a global analysis of current and future impacts of climate change on birds. The report reviews more than 200 research reports to assemble a clear and consistent picture of climatic risk to this important animal group, illustrated with numerous examples and case studies.
    [Show full text]
  • Bird Calls FEBRUARY 2013 L Vol
    The Newsletter of American Bird Conservancy Bird Calls FEBRUARY 2013 l Vol. 17, No. 1 Lesser Prairie-Chicken May Get Federal Protection he Lesser Prairie-Chicken, an iconic western bird have long been fearful that an ESA listing for this species that shares its shrinking habitat with everything could mean costly new land-use restrictions (Bird Calls, from cattle herds to wind farms, may soon be Vol. 15, No. 3). Environmental groups called the proposal Tadded to the list of plants and animals whose rangelands welcome but long overdue. are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act. Best “The status of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken is a proxy for the known for its stomping, booming mating dances, these status of the stunning prairie lands that used to cover large 1-2 pound brown-barred game birds used to be abun- parts of this country,” said Steve Holmer, Senior Policy dant in the short-grass prairies found in Colorado, Texas, Advisor at ABC. “It’s our hope that this proposal will spur Oklahoma, Kansas, and New Mexico. Now more than 80 further conservation efforts to help both the species and percent of those grasslands are gone, the rest are highly the ecosystem recover. ” fragmented, and Lesser Prairie-Chicken counts have de- clined dramatically. This listing proposal has lent urgency to region-wide efforts to develop voluntary conservation plans that would ABC and other environmental groups have been argu- protect the Lesser Prairie-Chicken by connecting and ing for years that the Lesser Prairie-Chicken deserves a restoring crucial bits of western prairie grassland, and by spot on the Endangered Species List.
    [Show full text]