MUMBAI: About 45 to 88 per cent of bird species in Asia will decline in suitable habitats. According to a study conducted by Durham university and BirdLife International, bird species are at a peril due to climate change and will need special protection in vast stretches.
The study was released by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) which is a partner of BirdLife International in India. The research project looked closely at 370 species of birds found at various locations in Asia including countries like Bhutan, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and parts of India and Nepal. All these species were found to be a point of concern and face environmental challenges to survival. The research looked at IBA (important bird areas) and focused on the the network on suitable habitats in these areas.
The research showed that the IBAs in Lower Mekong region were more affected that those in the eastern Himalayas. Many of these regions are likely to witness a change in the bird population and there are changes of local extinction of these birds. Projections show that at least 45% and up to 88% of the 370 species studied will experience decline of suitable habitats, leading to changing species composition in specific areas. "The findings demonstrate that survival of species will be dependent upon how conservation sites are managed and whether movement is possible from one site to another," states the research. "This means that the current conservation efforts should not only be strengthened, but also adapted to cover the wider countryside, including non-protected areas," it adds.
