Hundreds of Bird Species to be Extinct by 2050
A new study published in the online journal PLoS Biology suggests that over 400 bird species could become endangered over the next 50 years as a direct result of global warming, deforestation, and conversion of grassland and other habitats to cropland.
The study suggests that changes in land use, changes in weather and shrinking habitats are occurring faster than bird habitat and migration patterns can adjust.
“We found in our study that under certain assumptions by the year 2100, 950 to 1,800 bird species may be imperiled or even driven to extinction by climate change and habitat destruction,” Walter Jetz, lead author of the study, said. “Most of these species are currently not recognized as imperiled.”
By projecting agricultural and land use habits as well as changes in weather over time, the authors were able to model species’ populations for the future. However, if drastic changes are made that impact global warming and human impact on habitat, these finding do not have to become reality.
via livescience
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