THE EARTH GIVES US SIGNS, if we know how to read them. Some scientists obsessively track environmental fluctuations like shifts in precipitation and insect populations in search of early warnings of climate change. But one co-inhabitant of Earth can teach us more about the climate than any other: birds.
From the soft buzzing of the hummingbird’s wings to the sweet whistle of a warbler, birds are constantly communicating. Through their actions and very existence, they’re also sending us a message. It’s time to listen. Learn about these beautiful, essential creatures and the incredible impact they have on the planet, below.
1. Birds pollinate plants.
As the canary in the coal mine metaphor suggests, when the birds are in trouble, so are we. Birds perform invaluable ecosystem services necessary for our survival, like pollinating plants and dispersing seeds to help countless species of plants survive.
2. Birds help in pest control.
Birds consume insects such as mosquitoes, beetles and moths to feed themselves and feed their young ones. Birds catch huge numbers of insects in their larval form, which are high in protein. A recent study has shown that birds eat between 400 million and 500 million metric tons of insects a year globally, reducing the need for pesticides.
3. Birds are nature’s clean-up crew.
Birds even perform the role of garbage disposal by devouring animal carcasses that would otherwise rot.The sight of vultures circling overhead may look foreboding, but it is both their speed of arrival (typically within an hour of death), and their thoroughness which makes them so valuable. It could be days before other less efficient scavengers, such as feral dogs or rats, arrive to pick at the remains, allowing deadly diseases such as rabies and tuberculosis to develop and spread. Over its lifetime, a single vulture provides waste disposal services worth around US$11,600. Following the collapse of Asia’s vultures, India’s feral dog population surged by 5.5 million, spreading rabies and leading to an estimated 47,300 human deaths.
4.Birds spread seeds.
When birds travel, they take the seeds they have eaten with them and disperse them through their droppings. They bring plants back to ecosystems that have been destroyed, and even carry plants across the sea to new land masses. Birds have helped to shape the plant life we see around us – and around the world. In New Zealand’s forests, 70% of the plants have seeds dispersed by birds such as Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae).
5. Birds keep coral reefs alive
Birds, especially seabirds, play a key role in cycling nutrients and helping to fertilise marine ecosystems such as coral reefs. Seabirds travel hundreds of kilometres to feed out in the ocean – and when they return, they deposit layers of highly pungent guano (seabird droppings) at their colonies. This guano leaches into the ocean and fertilises nearby communities such as coral reefs. A study on the Chagos Islands shows what happens when this process is disrupted. On islands free of invasive seabird predators, coral reefs thrived, with fish growing larger and faster for their age, compared to rat-infested islands.
We can also facilitate a shift in business priorities by supporting companies that do their part to help the environment. Businesses, because of their sheer size, can have an even bigger impact than an individual.
You can also help by switching from plastic water bottles to reusable ones or planting native trees in your yard.
Living walls aka (green walls) provide an alternative ecological habitats for insects, bats and birds. In some installations the addition of nesting boxes for birds or bats can create an undisturbed home.
From the technology of flight, to the invention of zippers modelled on the barbules of feathers, humans have drawn inspiration from birds for centuries. Some of these advances have been huge: Darwin’s studies of finches in the Galápagos proved instrumental in shaping his thoughts on evolution through natural selection. But birds play a more important role than just giving us ideas. Birds are the messengers that tell us about the health of the planet. Birds are widespread and respond quickly to changes in the environment. Because of this, they are our early-warning system for pressing concerns such as climate change.Birds are the most accurate environmental cues.
From the soft buzzing of the hummingbird’s wings to the sweet whistle of a warbler, birds are constantly communicating. Through their actions and very existence, they’re also sending us a message. It’s time to listen. Learn about these beautiful, essential creatures and the incredible impact they have on the planet, below.
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| credits- www.luizclas.com |
As the canary in the coal mine metaphor suggests, when the birds are in trouble, so are we. Birds perform invaluable ecosystem services necessary for our survival, like pollinating plants and dispersing seeds to help countless species of plants survive.
2. Birds help in pest control.
Birds consume insects such as mosquitoes, beetles and moths to feed themselves and feed their young ones. Birds catch huge numbers of insects in their larval form, which are high in protein. A recent study has shown that birds eat between 400 million and 500 million metric tons of insects a year globally, reducing the need for pesticides.
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Birds even perform the role of garbage disposal by devouring animal carcasses that would otherwise rot.The sight of vultures circling overhead may look foreboding, but it is both their speed of arrival (typically within an hour of death), and their thoroughness which makes them so valuable. It could be days before other less efficient scavengers, such as feral dogs or rats, arrive to pick at the remains, allowing deadly diseases such as rabies and tuberculosis to develop and spread. Over its lifetime, a single vulture provides waste disposal services worth around US$11,600. Following the collapse of Asia’s vultures, India’s feral dog population surged by 5.5 million, spreading rabies and leading to an estimated 47,300 human deaths.
4.Birds spread seeds.
When birds travel, they take the seeds they have eaten with them and disperse them through their droppings. They bring plants back to ecosystems that have been destroyed, and even carry plants across the sea to new land masses. Birds have helped to shape the plant life we see around us – and around the world. In New Zealand’s forests, 70% of the plants have seeds dispersed by birds such as Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae).
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Birds, especially seabirds, play a key role in cycling nutrients and helping to fertilise marine ecosystems such as coral reefs. Seabirds travel hundreds of kilometres to feed out in the ocean – and when they return, they deposit layers of highly pungent guano (seabird droppings) at their colonies. This guano leaches into the ocean and fertilises nearby communities such as coral reefs. A study on the Chagos Islands shows what happens when this process is disrupted. On islands free of invasive seabird predators, coral reefs thrived, with fish growing larger and faster for their age, compared to rat-infested islands.
What You Can Do to Help?
It’s easier than you may think to help birds in your area, which, ultimately, can benefit the environment.You might be able to provide nesting materials on your windowsill for sparrows and mynahs and bird feeders. Simply foregoing pesticides on your lawn or garden can also make a big difference.We can also facilitate a shift in business priorities by supporting companies that do their part to help the environment. Businesses, because of their sheer size, can have an even bigger impact than an individual.
You can also help by switching from plastic water bottles to reusable ones or planting native trees in your yard.
 |
From the technology of flight, to the invention of zippers modelled on the barbules of feathers, humans have drawn inspiration from birds for centuries. Some of these advances have been huge: Darwin’s studies of finches in the Galápagos proved instrumental in shaping his thoughts on evolution through natural selection. But birds play a more important role than just giving us ideas. Birds are the messengers that tell us about the health of the planet. Birds are widespread and respond quickly to changes in the environment. Because of this, they are our early-warning system for pressing concerns such as climate change.Birds are the most accurate environmental cues.
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