Impacts of Climate Change on Birds and Measures

Nan Wang

Art and Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon S7N 5B2, Canada

Keywords: Climate Change, Birds, Migration Period, Distribution Measures.

Abstract: The global climate is increasing significantly, and the impact of climate change on biodiversity has become a

hot issue. The climatic environment is essential not only for human survival and development but also for the

survival and continuation of the entire biological community. As an indicator of the environment, the Birds

can reflect ecological changes sensitively, and the merits and demerits of the eco-environment also directly

affect the survival of birds. In this article, the major changes in the distribution, migration, breeding, and

population size of birds under global warming are summarized. Under the influence of climate change, the

distribution of birds shifts to higher latitudes or higher altitudes. The spring migration of birds is earlier than

before. Breeding and non-breeding sites are not moving in the same way, and the distribution of birds is

gradually decreasing. The spawning period of wild birds is earlier, and bird populations are reduced or even

extinct. Finally, this paper proposes some suggestions for coping with climate change by combining domestic

and international research experience and practical cases. In the context of global climate change, the

international community should attach great importance to climate issues and actively cooperate with each

other in compliance with international conventions. Citizens need to increase their awareness of

environmental protection. Scientists develop clean energy and pollution control technologies. In the future,

we should focus on the impacts of climate change on birds and establish a long-term effective monitoring

system.

1 INTRODUCTION

The global climate is undergoing significant changes.

The Fourth Assessment Report of the United Nations

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

shows that global temperatures are generally rising,

with an average temperature increase of 0.74 °C over

the last 100 years; the rate of warming during the past

50 years is almost double that of the previous 100

years (A review of the practical problems resulting

from the impact of the climate warming on birds,

2001). Regional changes in rainfall have also

occurred, with a 5-10% increase in rainfall in the

northern hemisphere mid-and high-latitude regions,

as opposed to a 3% decrease in rainfall in the tropics

and subtropics (A review of the practical problems

resulting from the impact of the climate warming on

birds, 2001). In recent years, the impact of climate

change on birds has received increasing attention, and

a recent report by the World Wide Fund for Nature

(WWF) indicates that the survival of most birds is

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6789-3219

under threat due to global climate change (A. Suman,

2021). Climate is one of the environmental factors

affecting the survival of organisms. The increase in

temperature will have an impact on species, mainly in

terms of changes in species distribution, phenology,

and population sizes, such as the distribution of some

plants and animals, the germination and flowering

periods of plant seeds, and the migration and breeding

periods of animals will change to different degrees

(Miller-Rushing, 2008). Birds are one of the most

active and visible components of the ecosystem. As

birds are highly sensitive to climate and weather

changes, the particular reason for this circumstance is

their high mobility.

Birds have commonly been viewed as pioneer

indicator species of the effects of climate change on

ecosystems (HITCH, 2007). Birds have historically

experienced multiple climate changes and have

adapted to their ecological habits. Climate change has

been identified as a critical driver in the formation of

bird migrations (Beale, 2013). The analysis of more

558

Wang, N.

Impacts of Climate Change on Birds and Measures.

DOI: 10.5220/0011235300003443

In Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Biomedical Engineering and Bioinformatics (ICBEB 2022), pages 558-563

ISBN: 978-989-758-595-1

than 1,700 species revealed that recent changes in

biological distribution are consistent with climate

change predictions, with the global range shifting

6.1km poleward every 10 a and spring phenology

advancing 2.3 d every 10 a (Visser, 2001). Whether

many higher organisms, including birds, will be able

to adapt to the rapid climate change is still unknown.

Therefore, the survival prospects of birds are not

optimistic. Scientists have conducted numerous

studies on the impact of climate change on birds. A

recent study by the University of York increased the

rate of movement by a factor of 2-3, suggesting that

species such as birds move 16.9 km to the poles and

11.0 m to higher elevations every ten years (Both,

M.E.J.P.o.t.R.S.B.B.S. Visser, 2005). It has been

discovered that warming has shifted the distribution

of many bird species to polar regions or high

altitudes.

This paper investigates the effects of climate

warming on bird migration, breeding, population

size, population distribution and provides a reference

for further understanding of the effects of global

climate change on bird ecology. This article also

proposes a series of measures to mitigate global

warming and provide environmental protection for

birds' normal survival and reproduction.

2 IMPACT OF CLIMATE

CHANGE ON BIRDS

2.1 Changes in the Migration Period

The impact of climate change on the living

environment of birds is multifaceted. The influence

of climate warming on the choice of spring migration

time of birds is closely related. Under the influence

of climate warming, the spring migration period of

birds has changed significantly. In general, climate

change has different effects on the migration timing

of short- and long-distance migratory birds, e.g.,

species wintering south of the Sahara (after long-

distance migration) have been migrating earlier in

recent years. Compared to species wintering north of

the Sahara (after short-distance migration), which

have delayed their fall migration (Both, Bouwhuis,

2006). The migration time of birds that fly to southern

Lithuania for wintering is earlier for short- and long-

distance migratory birds. In contrast, short-distance

migratory birds leave their breeding grounds at a

more variable time than long-distance migratory

birds (Field, 2007). For example, the migration

period of the field sparrow bunting is about 17 days

earlier per decade (Parmesan, 2003). This remarkably

important trend was also found by Takuji Usui et al.

that the migration time advances with time. Takuji

Usui et al. also found this very substantial trend of

earlier migration over time. The tendency for early

spring migration was significant at higher

temperatures (Thomas, 1999).

Miller-Rushing et al. studied the interaction term

between U.S. temperature and mean arrival date and

overwintering area, showing that migration times of

species overwintering in the United States, Central

America, and the Caribbean tended to arrive earlier in

warmer years (Butler, 2010). In contrast, migration

times of late-arriving species in the United States

continued to change more rapidly with each unit

change in temperature. In each decade, the earliest

recorded spring arrival date was 0.20 days later for

each species. In contrast, the mean arrival date for

birds of each species was 0.78 days earlier per decade

(Butler, 2010). The autumn departure period of birds

has also changed, but changes in the autumn

migration period are more difficult to monitor and

more complex, occurring both earlier and later

(Miller-Rushing, 2008); (CHINESE JOURNAL OF

PUPULATION, RESOURCES AND

ENVIRONMENT, 2006). In contrast, Gordo et al.

found that the migration of birds from the Southern

Sahara to their breeding grounds in Spain was

delayed due to the warming of the wintering grounds

(Consistent response of bird populations to climate

change on two continents, 2016).

2.2 Breeding Changes

The spawning period of some birds has advanced

compared to the past. After studying 23 populations

of spotted grouse in Europe, Both et al. found that

nine species had an earlier egg-laying period, which

was associated with warmer spring temperatures

(CHINESE JOURNAL OF PUPULATION,

RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT, 2006).

Changes in the spawning period of the birds were

mainly related to changes in peak food abundance.

Due to climate change, the flowering period of some

plants and the breeding period of insects may

advance. Such changes are inconsistent with physical

changes in birds, altering the original normal food

chain relationships (Walther, 2002); (Crick, 1997),

resulting in the synchronization of adult or juvenile

birds with food availability and affecting their

survival (Crick, 2004). Food factors are an influential

cause of bird reproduction. Visser et al. found that

climate change altered the peak abundance of food

caterpillars in greater parus, ultimately leading to

Impacts of Climate Change on Birds and Measures

559

changes in the breeding season of greater parus

(Chen, 2011). Second, short-distance migratory birds

are vulnerable to temperature changes. Thus, in

general, the spawning period of short-distance

migratory birds is significantly more variable than

that of long-distance migratory birds (Influence of

climate change on the abundance, distribution and

phenology of woodland bird species in temperate

regions, 2010). Even though long-distance migratory

birds adapt to the effects of climate change, they also

change their migration period (Luhas, 2021). If spring

temperatures continue to rise, this shallow response

of migration timing to spring temperatures may act as

a hard constraint on the response of spawning dates

to breeding site temperatures, thus placing migratory

species at a disadvantage relative to resident species

(Thomas, 1999).

2.3 Population Size

Climate change not only changes the distribution and

phenology of species but also affects their population

changes, making populations smaller or even extinct.

Møller et al. found that birds that migrate long

distances do not adjust their migration period in time

to adapt to the new environment (Thomas, 1999).

Gasner et al. used models to predict population

changes of Mesoamerican birds under future climate

scenarios showing that almost half of the species'

populations will decline over the next century, with a

few species trending towards extinction

(Wormworth, 2006). The frequent occurrence of

extreme weather events, the spread of diseases, and

the invasion of exotic species due to climate change

also contributed to the changes in bird populations.

Extreme weather events affect the migration and

breeding success of birds (Sanz 2010). McKechnie

and Wolf predicted that warming-induced heat waves

would increase bird mortality in desert areas by 2080

(Sanz 2010). According to Garamszegi's study,

climate change has increased malaria incidence in

birds, leading to population declines (Jenni, 2003).

Some competitive exotic species also take the

opportunity to invade, leading to bird diseases,

reduced food availability, and population declines

(Influence of climate change on the abundance,

distribution and phenology of woodland bird species

in temperate regions, 2010).

2.4 Distribution Effects

In a natural state, the distribution areas of birds are

dynamic and flexible, even in the absence of climate

change. Many factors affect the spread and

distribution of birds. When climate change makes the

original habitat no longer suitable for survival, it will

force many species to shift and open up new

territories. For birds, climate warming is the

dominant influence in changing their range.

Theoretically, such dispersal and distribution should

be random. However, an obvious rule can be found

from the reports of new records of bird distribution in

recent years. The range of many bird species is

expanding northward, and this trend has increased in

recent years. A plausible explanation for the above is

that climate warming is causing birds to move

northward in their range. In Europe, Thomas and

Lennon studied changes in the distribution of bird

breeding sites in Britain. They found that species in

the northern region had moved an average of 18.9 km

northward by analyzing distribution data over the last

20 years (Joshi, 1992). For North America, Hitch and

Leberg studied changes in the distribution of 56 bird

species and found that birds in the northern range did

not expand southward, while birds in the southern

region moved northward by 2.35 km per year

(Garamszegi, 2011). Global warming will lead to a

significant reduction in the range of bird populations,

which may lose their entire range in the future (La,

Sorte, 2017). Steen et al. analyzed data from breeding

bird surveys. The distribution of five common

waterfowl species in the Prairie Pothole Region

(PPR) of the United States was predicted to decrease

by 64% for these five species. However, 100% of the

habitat would be lost for the black-faced vireo

(Porzana Carolina) 100% of the habitat would be lost

for the American bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus)

(Gasner, 2010). Jie Liang et al. evaluated the habitat

changes and populations of seven orders and 23

different species of the IUCN Red List of migratory

birds from 2014 to 2017 (2014-2017) based on the

maximum entropy approach (MaxEnt) model.

Habitat changes and population center shifts. Most of

the individual species in the study will move more

than 50 km, and all species will move to more suitable

sites (Gasner, 2010).

ICBEB 2022 - The International Conference on Biomedical Engineering and Bioinformatics

560

Table 1: Migration of Migratory Birds (M.R. Gasner, 2010).

Orders Shift direction Shift distance (km)

Total migratory birds Northeast 51. 01

PODICIPEDIFORMES Northeast 49. 00

CICONIIFORMES Northeast 24. 88

GRUIFORMES Northeast 66. 17

CHARADRIIFORMES Northeast 52. 74

LARIFORMES Northeast 73. 63

PELECANIFORMES Northeast 43. 55

3 MEASURES AGAINST GLOBAL

WA R MI NG

3.1 International Community and

Government Policies

Currently, global climate change is receiving

widespread attention from the international

community. Globally, 192 countries have joined the

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

(Jonzen, 2006), a global climate protection

agreement, and signed the Kyoto Protocol in 1997,

pledging to jointly reduce greenhouse gas emissions

and help vulnerable regions cope with the disasters

caused by warming by 2012 (Gordo, 2010).

Formulate supporting laws, regulations, and

standards, and improve fiscal, tax, price, financial,

and other policy measures. Improve the management

system and monitoring and implementation

mechanism. In particular, increase the support and

backing in finance and science and technology. The

EU updated its bioeconomy strategy in 2018 to

accelerate development at the national level and keep

the economy in balance with the living world. Greater

emphasis has also been placed on increasing the

resilience of ecosystems and ensuring their

contribution to climate change mitigation and

biodiversity conservation. However, the

responsibility for mapping the interactions between

priority setting and goal setting rests with national

governments. More than 40 governments worldwide

have adopted explicit national strategies to advance

their bioeconomy sectors (Udomsri, 2011).

3.2 Responsibility of Citizens

Energy-saving, emission reduction, and combating

climate change also require the participation of all

human beings. Coping with climate change is the

shared responsibility of all human beings, and each of

us should participate in it. The theoretical framework

in Figure 1 presents the relationship between urban

residents' behavioral responses to climate change and

their influencing factors. It introduces the concept of

the mechanism of the relationship between the

influencing factors and the behavioral responses of

urban residents. Thus, the reactivity and behavior of

citizens in response to climate warming are also

crucial. As individuals, we must change our

consumption and lifestyle to a low-carbon lifestyle to

solve the climate change crisis. We can incorporate

relevant content into textbooks and disseminate

relevant knowledge. Introduce the relationship

between energy conservation and climate change and

people's daily lives through various media and

introduce climate change's immediate and long-term

effects. Call on the public to reduce greenhouse gas

emissions through energy conservation and emission

reduction in all aspects of life. Encourage the public

to monitor wasteful behavior and illegal emissions

(Usui, 2017). Through the participation of all people,

national policies should be transformed into

voluntary actions of each citizen.

3.3 Scientific and Technological Means

Adaptation to climate change is one of the

components of the response to climate change, and

scientific and technological progress and innovation

are important to support adaptation to climate change.

Environmental technologies are divided into two

basic categories: pollution prevention technologies

and pollution control technologies used after

pollution has occurred. Clean technologies are

technologies that ensure the prevention of pollution

before it occurs through organizational and

technological changes. Burning fossil fuels, such as

oil, coal, etc., or cutting down forests and burning

Impacts of Climate Change on Birds and Measures

561

Figure 1: Garbage Floating on the Ocean Surface (T. Usui, 2017).

them produces large amounts of carbon dioxide,

contributing to climate warming. Clean energy is an

environmentally friendly source of energy that is

more environmentally friendly, emits less, and

pollutes less than traditional fuels. Biomass and

municipal solid waste (MSW) is widely accepted as

an important local renewable energy source and is

one of the largest renewable energy sources in the

world. MSW incineration in Thailand has a

sustainable potential and direction in mitigating

climate change and promoting biomass-based

electricity production (U.N.F.C.o.C.C.J.R.o.E,

2010). Renewable energy plays a critical role in

climate change mitigation and adaptation in highly

climate-sensitive countries such as Nepal. Nepal has

installed micro-hydropower projects, solar energy,

improved cookstoves, biogas technology, improved

water plants, and wind energy to mitigate and adapt

to climate change. The adoption of renewable energy

technologies in Nepal has reduced greenhouse gas

emissions and enhanced carbon sequestration (Steen,

2012).

4 CONCLUSIONS

Climate change in this century is a long-term and

gradual process, and its impact on human and global

ecology is undoubtedly enormous. Since the impact

of climate warming on the world's economic life,

agricultural production, and ecological environment

is still expanding, it is of great importance to use birds

as indicator species to monitor the evolution of the

Earth's environment. In the context of climate

change, the geographic range of birds is shifting to

higher latitudes. The spawning period of birds has

been advanced during the breeding period, and the

population size has been gradually reduced. In the

face of the increasingly severe ecological hazards

caused by climate change, it is possible to mitigate

the warming problem from the government, people,

and technology. In the future, a complete bird data

monitoring system can be established, integrating

data collection, uploading, sharing, and research.

Scholars conduct long-term monitoring and

investigation on a particular object and carry out

several large-scale land bird monitoring studies. New

prediction and assessment methods are studied and

researched to accurately predict trends in the world's

birds under future climate scenarios. In the future, we

should combine modern research techniques to

improve management methods, strengthen education

and awareness, and better respond to climate change's

harm.

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