Species survival in the climate-change era
UK scientists have shown that wildlife conservation areas are crucial to saving species of birds affected by climate change in Africa. Their findings, published in the journal Ecology Letters, reveal that designated wildlife areas are an effective tool to help biodiversity survive the fundamental changes taking place on the planet, and indicate a need for greater emphasis on ecosystem protection. Researchers from Durham University, BirdLife International and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in the UK examined the impacts of climate change on 815 bird species in sub-Saharan Africa and found that up to 90% of these species can be helped through a network of wildlife areas, known as Important Bird Areas (IBAs). In Africa alone, IBAs are home to 875 bird species that are threatened, restricted in range or restricted to particular biomes (naturally occurring plant and animal communities found in a major habitat). 'We looked at bird species across the whole network of protected areas in Africa,' explained Durham University's Dr Stephen Willis, 'and the results show that wildlife conservation areas will be essential for the future survival of many species of birds.' 'IBAs will provide new habitats for birds that are forced to move as temperatures and rainfall change and food sources become scarce in the areas where they currently occur. Protected areas are a vital conservation tool to help birds adapt to climate change in the 21st century,' Dr Willis added. Using a moderate climate-change scenario, the team used simulation models to determine the effect of climate change on IBAs over the next few decades. Their research involved a total of 863 IBA sites across 42 countries and territories, covering 7% of the African continent. The findings reveal that some bird species will suffer due to the significant changes ahead, with turnover in some areas being as high as 50%. Adaptability will be amongst the most important factors to aid their survival. The experts claim that wildlife conservation areas, or 'green corridors', will become increasingly important in the need to migrate wildlife to new climatically suitable areas. For example, an entire species in one particular IBA may move to another across Africa that is more suited to its needs and will allow it to survive. 'The results show that 90% of priority species in Africa will find [a] suitable climate somewhere in the network of protected areas in future. However, 1 in 10 birds will have to find new places to live and breed, so new sites will have to be added to the IBA network,' said Dr Willis. 'The central regions of Africa should maintain many of their current species as long as the protected areas remain intact. By contrast, areas of the Afrotropical Highlands, [which occur in African countries south of the Sahara] such as Cameroon, South Africa and Ethiopia, will see enormous change, with more than 40% of species leaving.' BirdLife International's Dr Stuart Butchart said, 'The survival of much of the planet's biodiversity under climate change will depend upon adequate protection for biodiverse ecosystems, the IBAs within them, and support for the people who depend on them, so that local communities can participate actively in making their environment more resilient. 'It is essential that policy leads to adequate protection of IBAs and takes account of the critical role that ecosystems play in helping wildlife and people adapt,' Dr Butchart advised.
Countries
United Kingdom