Population declines of mammals and birds linked to rapid warming of climate

The rate at which our planet is warming has been found to be a critical factor in explaining the decline of bird and mammal species, reveals new research by UCL and ZSL (Zoological Society of London). For the study, published today in Global Change Biology , 987 populations of 481 species across the globe were studied to investigate how the rate of climate change and land-use change (from natural to human-dominated landscapes) interact to affect the rate of decline on mammals and birds, as well as whether species located in protected areas and body size had an influence. The rate at which our climate is warming was found to be the best explanation for the observed rate of population declines. Birds were one of the worst affected by rapid climate warming, with effects being twice as strong in birds over mammals, as well as populations located outside of protected areas being more severely impacted. Species such as the black-tailed godwit ( Limosa limosa ) in Germany and Senegal, pink-footed Geese in Canada ( Anser brachyrhynchus ) and black-backed jackal ( Canis mesomelas ) in Tanzania were just some of the species highlighted to be in population decline. Lead-author, Fiona Spooner from UCL Centre of Biodiversity & Environment Research said and ZSL's Institute of Zoology: "The reason we think birds might be worse off in particular is due to birds breeding seasons being particularly sensitive to temperature changes. We think this could be leading to a desynchronisation of their reproduction cycle, leading to the negative impacts we're seeing.