Alarming declines in songbirds in Lower Saxony - what now?

Alarming declines in songbirds in Lower Saxony - what now?

The Nature Conservation Association (NABU) has published the results of its annual bird counting in Lower Saxony, which show alarming declines in almost all songbird species. The survey, in which around 11,200 people took part - a decline of over 13,000 in the previous year - proves drastic loss of inventory. NABU state chairman Holger Buschmann reports of a decline in house sperm by 13 percent and a decline in the blackbird of up to 40 percent, which may be due to a virus infection. The coal tans and the blue credition also recorded declines of 10 or 16 percent.

Although the bird flu infection wave is not considered a direct cause of the inventory decline, the pressure on the bird populations remains high. The onset of winter is noted as a possible factor, but cannot explain the strong declines that are over 17 percent. Buschmann calls for a comprehensive scientific investigation of the causes.

causes of the decline in bird stocks

The terrifying numbers raise questions about which other factors contribute to these losses. A study by the Technical University of Munich leads three main reasons: climate change, the intensification of agriculture and the decline in insect populations. Not only are bird species, but also migratory birds that have problems with reproduction due to changed climatic conditions. These birds, which hibernate in southern Africa, often find unfavorable conditions when they return from their winter quarters.

Another problem is that the breeding season of many birds no longer goes synchronously with the range of food resources. Types such as the funeral snap and the collar snapper may return too late, which leads to finding occupied nesting places and having a sufficient food for your boys.

tightening the situation by climate change

The availability of food is also affected by temperature and precipitation fluctuations. In particular, the decline in the insect biomass reduces the food base for insect -eating birds. This has immediate consequences for the reproduction of the species and could lead to a further decline in the stocks in the long term.

The combination of these factors requires pressing measures and proactive protection strategies to maintain ecological resistance and variety of bird species. Current challenges such as extreme weather events and the reduction of suitable habitats make it clear that now has to be traded to prevent the situation from further deterioration.

For detailed information on the causes and effects, the sources Agrar today and Sigma Earth