Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Vulnerability and Extinction of Migratory Animals



Overtime Scientists have grown increasingly concerned about migrators, as human development and activities continue to expand. These migrators are animals that trek long distances up to thousands of kilometers annually. Scientists at UC Santa Barbara have set to measure the vulnerability and extinction risks of migrating of birds, mammals, and fish from different places around the world. Studies showed that vulnerability of migratory animals varied. The variation was regional, environmental, behavioral and taxonomic contexts.

Researchers were then able to examine more species ranging to 6,000 migrators. They did so by having taxonomic groups (birds, mammals, and fishes) and by environmental systems. Environmental systems were whether they lived in terrestrial, marine or freshwater. Another study done was whether the movement of a taxonomic group exhibited behaviors. Such behaviors were schools of fish, flocks of geese flying in formation and herds of wildebeests.
Research showed that migratory birds were abundant and decreasing to non-migratory birds. This has led to opportunity of conservation, which means they want to slow down the decline of species before they near extinction.

Further studies proved that migratory mammal’s population size were increasing compared to non-migratory. This is because migratory mammals are more endangered. They face barriers such as roads and other developments. Mammals also are at risk of being hunted or poached. Biologists were able to pinpoint and highlight areas that need to be preserved.

I think that its important to know about the species that are going extinct and the challenges they face. If there are ways to prevent animals going extinct we should act upon it. Like the article mentioned, “we need to find a way to coexist with these species, especially because of increasing human development around the globe”. If there is human development near where a migratory animal is they should take into consideration if these animals will be able to survice in the new conditions.

- Tatiana Silveira (3) 

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180326140204.htm


8 comments:

  1. I think that this is very unfortunate and that humans are in part to blame for this decline in migration. Human activity has affected migratory routes as well as weather causing migration to begin earlier. Preserving these animals will allow future generations to enjoy them.

    - Trung Le (2)

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    1. I couldn't agree more. Knowing that these species are endangered is upsetting. If we as humans can do something to put a stop to it, we should take action.

      - Tatiana Silveira (3)

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  2. One of the contributors to the threats to migratory birds is climate change. Global warming has definitely has a drastic effect on migration patterns, generally not for good. Apparently there are some birds that miss out on crucial feeding times because the insects they rely on mature earlier than they are supposed to due to the warmth. Scientists definitely need to consider what we can do to help keep these migrations stable in an increasing unstable climate.

    Harris Jackson (1)

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    1. Wow, I did not know that insects are playing a role in the bird population. I did know that climate change is playing a major factor into threatining migratory birds. I agree that scientists need to do further research on how to prevent this from happening.

      - Tatiana Silveira (3)

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  3. This reminded me of a major worry I have when I fly! I always wonder how many birds we kill each year with our airplanes. I have heard of multiple cases whereby birds flew into the engines of places and died. I wonder what can be done to prevent this.

    Posted by Sarah Kamukala

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    1. I never thought of it like. I have heard of many cases of birds flying into engines and dying. I do know that planes have sensors to track whether there is a flock of birds in their direction to avoid incoming attack.

      - Tatiana Silveira (3)

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  4. I'm glad more and more individuals of high regard are focusing in on the growing issue of extinction. Just recently, the last male white northern rhino passed away. I am curious as to why migratory mammals population size would be increasing compared to non-migratory if the migratory animals are more endangered, as you said. Isn't that contradictory?

    -Colby Ells (1)

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    1. I learned about the last northern rhino passing in my mammalogy class. It is very unfortunate that this has happened. I too thought it was contradicting but its what was stated in the article. I will look into it more.

      - Tatiana Silveira (3)

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