Write an Essay on ‘Changing
environment- A challenge for migratory birds’.
Answers
Answer:
The black stork is exhausted. The long journey to his non-breeding grounds south of the Sahara desert was arduous. The majestic bird is desperately looking for a place to rest, where he can recover and refuel until taking up his journey to return to his breeding grounds in a few months time. But instead of water and wetlands, which were once common across the region, all he sees is sand and dust. Gradually his black wings flap more slowly and his tired eyes continue looking for a place to rest - in vain.In a few decades, this scenario might become reality. We are on the best way towards it. Human-induced climate change has begun to affect our planet and the organisms that live on it. Many migrating birds are very sensitive to environmental changes and are already being affected by climate change. Increasing temperatures, changing vegetations and extreme weather conditions lead to significant changes of the birds’ essential habitats. In many cases these are likely reasons for the decline of bird populations and changes in migration patterns.
The ways in which migratory birds respond to these environmental changes differ across species: Generally speaking, short and middle distance migrating birds can adapt to climate changes more easily, whereas long distance migrants are at a disadvantage. Their migration rhythm is usually more fixed and they struggle with readjustment to changing temperatures. Because of this rigidness they suffer more from the impacts of climate change than other birds.