"Birds throughout the US have adopted a disturbing habit that could have devastating implications for human society if it continues. Researchers have found that birds are abandoning their usual migration patterns, with warmer temperatures in their winter habitats disrupting their annual flights While delaying their yearly flight south may not sound like a major problem, a visiting scientist at Cornell University, Andrew Farnsworth, warned that it could lead to many bird species dying out and drastically altering nature."
"Birds play an important role for people because they help control pests, spread seeds, and pollinate plants. Roughly five percent of the plants used for food and medicine by humans rely on birds to pollinate them. If more birds die out because they struggle to find food when the seasons change, food production drops and the balance of nature is disrupted."
Birds across the United States are abandoning traditional migration patterns as warmer winter temperatures disrupt their annual flights. Delayed southward migration increases mortality risk and can lead to species declines. Birds provide pest control, seed dispersal, and pollination supporting food and medicinal plant production. Roughly five percent of food and medicinal plants used by people rely on bird pollination. Rising temperatures, Arctic and northern forest warming, and wildfires are reducing bird survival and habitat. The National Audubon Society projects 389 North American bird species will become vulnerable to extinction in 50 years and risk losing over half their habitats by 2080. North America has lost about three billion birds since 1970.
Read at Mail Online
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