WILD

First Robust Indicator How Climate Change Impacts on Biodiversity

We all know that our climate is changing, rapidly. We also know that the impact of our changing climate is and will continue to affect humans, plants, weather, animals, oceans — entire ecosystems. Now there is a robust tool to measure and monitor the impacts of climate change on biodiversity – the first of its kind. This indicator is a major milestone, and is already being used by the European Commission to assess progress toward the target of halting biodiversity loss by 2010.  Significant biodiversity loss of will create havoc….globally.

The Common Snipe, Meadow Pipit and Brambling will be the hardest hit.

The research team applied the indicator specifically to bird species in Europe – and the results were shocking. Of the 122 common species studied, 75% are predicted to be badly affected, mainly by significant declines across their ranges. The remaining 25% (more robust species such as the Sardinian and subalpine warbler and the European bee-eater) are projected to increase in population size. The study was a true grassroots effort – with the research team, BirdLife International and the European Bird Census working with many skilled amateur birdwatchers across Europe.

“There are numerous measures of how our climate is changing, and good evidence that these changes are impacting species, and habitats, but to date there has been no simple indicator graph for decision makers to use to monitor these impacts over time, commented Dr. Stuart Butchard, BirdLife International’s global research and indicators coordinator. “It provides another example of how information from birds – the best known class of organisms – can be used to monitor our growing footprint on the planet.”

Read the full article on newswire>>

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