Third Reflection

Climate change pushing bird species
'towards extinction:' US

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20100312/tts-environment-climate-us-birds-972e412.html

Summary-

"For well over a century, migratory birds have faced stresses," Salazar said. "Now they are facing a new threat -- climate change -- that could dramatically alter their habitat and food supply and push many species towards extinction."
Birds that depend upon the ocean for survival "are among the most vulnerable birds on Earth to climate change," warned the report put together by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in coordination with several environmental groups.
All 67 oceanic bird species, including albatrosses, petrels and puffins, are at particular risk because they produce few offspring each year and their habitats are most susceptible to climate change phenomena.
Species including the Laysan Albatross and the Bonin Petrel typically nest on very low-lying islands, which could disappear as sea levels rise.
Many Hawaiian birds, including the endangered Puaiohi and Akiapolaau, face multiple threats, including from mosquito-borne diseases and invasive species, as well as loss of habitat, the report warned.
But even less-threatened species, like the American oystercatcher -- a black and white bird with a long red bill -- the common nighthawk, and the northern pintail -- an ubiquitous type of duck, are likely to become "of conservation concern" because of climate change.
In mountainous and Arctic regions "increased temperatures will drastically alter surface water and vegetation," meaning species like the White-tailed Ptarmigan and rosy-finches "may disappear... as alpine tundra diminishes."
"Birds are excellent indicators of the health of our environment, and right now they are telling us an important story about climate change," said Kenneth Rosenberg, director of conservation science at Cornell University's Lab of Ornithology, a contributor to the report.

Reflection-

After reading this article, I know that migratory birds are facing extinction as they are facing a new threat, climate change, that could dramatically alter their habitat and food supply. Birds that depend on the ocean for survival are the most vulnerable birds on earth. There are 67 oceanic bird species for example, albatrosses, puffins are at particular risk because they produce very few offspring each year and their habitats are most susceptible to climate change phenomena. birds like laysanAlbatross typically nest on very low-lying islands, which could disappear as sea levels rise. Some birds face multiple threats, including from mosquito- borne diseases and invasive species, as well as loss of habitat.