The effects of climate change on terrestrial birds of North America

Abstract

A discussion of avian responses to climate change is of interest for a number of reasons. First, because birds are relatively easy to identify and measure and their responses to environmental perturbation are relatively well known, they are useful as indicators of ecological change (1). Furthermore, birds are of conservation interest in their own right. Bird populations face global conservation challenges, with 1 in 8 species facing a high risk of extinction in the near future according to a recent report (2). Finally, birds perform significant ecosystem services with consequences for human health and well-being, including pest control, sanitation, seed dispersal and pollination (3).

Citation

King, David; Finch, Deborah M. 2013. The effects of climate change on terrestrial birds of North America. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Climate Change Resource Center. Online: http://www.fs.fed.us/ccrc/topics/wildlife/birds/