Due to climate change, birds are increasingly anticipating spring migrations and the breeding period, by 2-3 days every decade since 1811. The most affected species are those living in higher latitudes, where temperatures have increased. with greater intensity, and those that migrate only over short distances.
This was stated by a study led by the University of Milan and published in the journal Ecological Monographs, which analyzed 684 bird species globally from 1811 to 2018. The study also provides useful data for identifying the species most at risk, for any interventions of protection and conservation.
The researchers, led by Andrea Romano, observed large differences between species with different ecological and biological characteristics.
For example, species that migrate over long distances (the so-called trans-continental migrants) showed less marked advances than those that only move within the continent or that do not migrate (the residents).
Furthermore, birds that have a generalist diet or that feed on plants tend to anticipate their activities more than species that adopt a different diet.
“Organisms are responding to environmental and ecological variations, for example by changing their distribution towards regions that have become climatically more suitable, or by changing the timing of activities, such as reproduction and migration,” explains Romano.
"However, these responses often prove insufficient to keep pace with climate change and many populations have experienced profound demographic declines - concludes the researcher - so much so that it is estimated that climate change may represent the main source of local extinction in the coming decades".
