A warming climate is pushing organisms towards the circumpolar areas and mountain peaks. A recently conducted Finnish study on changes in bird populations reveals that protected areas slow down the north-bound retreat of species.
A warming climate is pushing organisms towards the circumpolar areas and mountain peaks. A recently conducted Finnish study on changes in bird populations reveals that protected areas slow down the north-bound retreat of species.
As the climate warms up, the belts of current climate conditions move further north, forcing species to follow the climate suited to them. At the same time, environmental transformation by humans is causing problems. Species are experiencing great difficulties in adapting simultaneously to a decrease in the quality of their habitat and the pressure brought on by climate change.
The study investigated changes in the abundance of bird species inside and outside conservation areas over five decades. According to observations made by the researchers, conservation areas are excellent habitats for many species. These areas help northern bird species maintain their abundances on the southern boundary of their current area of distribution, while helping certain southern bird species spread to new territories on the northern boundary of their distribution area.
“Finnish conservation areas are mainly comprised of old-growth forest and peatlands, which prevent the retreat of northern species. It is the impact of climate change on northern species that is causing particular concern. These species are also threatened by deteriorating habitats, such as through forestry and the drying-up of peatlands,” explains Petteri Lehikoinen, a researcher at Luomus, the Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki.
Read more at University of Helsinki
Image: The Siberian jay is an indicator species of boreal forests, threatened by both climate change and the diminishing scope of old-growth forests. Particularly in the southern boundary of its distribution area, the logging of old forests has caused the Siberian jay to disappear from the region. (Credit: Petteri Lehikoinen)
