- As per the latest assessment presented in the ‘State of the World’s Birds’ review, around 48% of the global bird species are identified or presumed to be experiencing declines in their populations.
- The ‘State of the World’s Birds’ serves as an annual evaluation of environmental resources.
- Given that birds are conspicuous and serve as sensitive indicators of environmental well-being, their diminishing numbers signify a broader decline in biodiversity, posing a significant threat to human health and overall well-being.
- BirdLife International’s primary scientific publication, the ‘State of the World’s Birds,’ serves as a flagship assessment tool that utilizes birds to evaluate the overall health of ecosystems.
- This study relies on BirdLife International’s most recent evaluation of all bird species using data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
- The report, conducted by Manchester Metropolitan University, provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements in understanding avian biodiversity and the associated threats they face.
SIGNIFICANCE OF AVIAN SPECIES IN THE ECOSYSTEM
Avian species play a crucial role in providing ecosystem services, directly and indirectly benefiting human well-being.
- Diverse Functional Roles: Avian species contribute to ecosystem services such as provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting functions. They perform various functional roles, including pollination, seed dispersal, ecosystem engineering, scavenging, and predation.
- Support for Sustainable Agriculture: Birds contribute not only to biodiversity but also play a vital role in supporting sustainable agriculture through activities like pollination and controlling rodent and pest populations.
- Pest Management: Avian species aid in pest control, assisting in agriculture and maintaining balanced biodiversity.
- Source of Food: Birds serve as an important source of food, providing meat and eggs for human consumption.
- Aesthetic Value: Avian species hold cultural and aesthetic value, enhancing the beauty of nature. Birdwatching, a global pastime, is practiced by millions, and birds are also kept as pets.
- Economic Impact: The bird-feeding industry is valued at $5-6 billion per year and is growing by four percent annually, contributing significantly to employment opportunities.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Decreasing Trends in Bird Population:
Approximately 48% of the around 11,000 surviving bird species globally are experiencing a decline in their populations.
- Current Status of Threats:
Presently, 13.5% of bird species face the risk of global extinction, with 798 species classified as vulnerable, 460 as endangered, and 223 as critically endangered.
- Population Estimates:
About 73% of bird species are estimated to have fewer than 10,000 mature individuals.
- Latitudinal Variations:
There is a notable difference in the proportion of highly threatened species between tropical and temperate latitudes. Tropical latitudes, which include biodiversity hotspots like the Andes, southeast Brazil, eastern Himalayas, eastern Madagascar, and Southeast Asian islands, exhibit a higher percentage of highly threatened species at 86.4%, compared to 31.7% in temperate latitudes.
- Reasons for Latitudinal Variation:
The concentration of biodiversity hotspots in tropical regions contributes to the higher proportion of highly threatened species.
INDIA’S SCENARIO
- The declining trend in bird diversity is a significant concern in India, where recent annual trends have been analyzed for 146 species.
- Disturbingly, nearly 80% of these species are witnessing a decline in numbers, with almost 50% experiencing a substantial decline.
- Only slightly over 6% of the studied species demonstrate stable populations, and 14% show increasing population trends.
THREATS TO AVIAN SPECIES
Growing Human Footprint: The expanding human population has resulted in the degradation of natural bird habitats, as urban living spaces increase, leading to a loss of biodiversity.
- Plantation Disguised as Afforestation: While there is a rise in tree cover in various regions, the introduction of non-native tree species in the name of afforestation has proven detrimental to many bird habitats.
- Hunting and Trapping: Birds are often hunted for ornamental purposes, such as feathers and nails, as well as for food globally.
- Impact of Invasive Alien Species and Disease: The introduction of approximately 1000 alien bird species, either accidentally or intentionally, across the world over the centuries has significantly affected native species.
- Infrastructure Development: Human pursuit of growth through infrastructure development has led to the fragmentation and destruction of bird habitats globally.
- Agrochemical and Pharmaceutical Usage: Millions of birds suffer mortality each year due to pesticide ingestion. For instance, Diclofenac has caused vulture deaths in India.
- Global Teleconnections: The radiation from cell phone towers poses a threat to the biological systems of birds, leading to issues such as thinning of eggshells.
- Climate Change: Anthropogenic activities causing pronounced changes in climatic conditions over the last century have resulted in the extinction of some species and the listing of many more as ‘critically endangered.’
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Reliable Population Estimates:
- Conduct reliable estimates of population abundance and change to better understand the status and trends of bird populations.
- Demand Reduction Strategies:
- Implement novel and more effective solutions at scale to reduce the demand for over-harvested wild birds.
- Monitoring Green Energy Transitions:
- Monitor green energy transitions to ensure they are appropriately implemented and do not adversely impact bird populations.
- Eradication of Invasive Alien Species:
- Take measures for the eradication of populations of invasive alien species to mitigate their negative impact on native bird species.
- Economically Sustainable Development:
- Promote the shift of human societies towards economically sustainable development pathways that consider and safeguard bird habitats and ecosystems.
FAQs: THE STATE OF WORLD’ BIRDS
1. What does the ‘State of the World’s Birds’ report reveal about the global bird population?
A: The report highlights that approximately 48% of global bird species are undergoing population declines, signaling a significant concern for biodiversity.
2. What is the purpose of the ‘State of the World’s Birds’ review?
A: The review serves as an annual evaluation of environmental resources, using birds as indicators of environmental health and biodiversity.
3. How does avian species contribute to the ecosystem and human well-being?
A: Avian species play diverse roles, including pollination, seed dispersal, pest control, and supporting sustainable agriculture. They also have cultural, aesthetic, and economic significance.
4. What are the key findings regarding bird population trends globally?
A: The report indicates that 13.5% of bird species are at risk of global extinction, with 798 vulnerable, 460 endangered, and 223 critically endangered species. Approximately 73% of species have fewer than 10,000 mature individuals.
5. Are there variations in threatened species based on latitudinal differences?
A: Yes, there is a notable difference between tropical and temperate latitudes. Tropical latitudes, hosting biodiversity hotspots, exhibit a higher proportion of highly threatened species (86.4%) compared to temperate latitudes (31.7%).
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