Effects of Climate Change on Avian Species in Southeast Queensland

This paper focuses on the effects of climate change on avian species in Southeast Queensland, Australia. It discusses the impact of climate change on bird populations, their habitats, and migration patterns. It also explores ways to reduce the harmful effects of climate change on these species.

EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AVIAN SPECIES IN
SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND

Introduction
Climate change has been one of the most raging issues in recent global discussions. The effects
of climate change are fatal and far-reaching. With rising population and scarcity of available
resources, the negative effects of climate change are becoming more difficult to control. Climate
change results in new or unfamiliar weather patterns, which are fatal not only for humans but
also for other living species in the planet (Change, 2016). Climate change involves the different
spheres of the globe including atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere and lithosphere.
The Earth’s climate receives most of its energy from the sun and also from the Earth’s interior,
giving off a significant amount of energy to outer space. The balance between the incoming and
outgoing energies keeps a balance in the Earth’s climate system (Pacifici et al., 2015). With
higher incoming energy the climate of the Earth heats up and when more energy is emitted to
outer space, it cools down. Heavy malfunctioning in the Earth’s atmosphere, like thin ozone
levels and presence of harmful gases and other particles, make it a good catalyst for global
warming as it allows the heat rays inside the atmospheric levels but does not allow them to
escape-- this leads to perpetual heating of the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to global warming.
This paper aims to focus on the effects of climate change, especially on the avian species in
Southeast Queensland of Australia. The fatal effects of climate change have already started to
take its toll on the various bird species like the canaries. Many species are going extinct, while
many have to alter their migration habitats. With further deforestation and human development,
many of these species are losing their natural habitat and failing to keep up with the rising
temperatures and climate change (Edenhofer, 2015). This paper would also emphasize on the
various ways that can reduce the harmful effects of climate change, especially on the birds of
Southeast Queensland.
Issue of Climate Change
For the past century and a half, climate change has been evidently affecting the whole planet and
its different kinds of eco-systems. Since the Industrial Revolution, the alarming rise of the
Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) is noticeable and the effects it had on Earth and its species were also
very obvious (Zaid, Myeda, Mahyuddin & Sulaiman, 2015). Climate change is the natural

phenomenon which is caused when the balance between the inner and outer gases of the
atmosphere is disturbed and unbalanced. Greenhouse Gases are vital for life to sustain on Earth,
as it prevents the planet from cooling down to uninhabitable temperatures and helps to trap some
of the Sun’s heat which maintains normal habitable temperatures for all kinds of species in the
planet. Therefore, GHGs are important to sustain life on the planet but too much GHGs will
increase the global temperature gradually thus making it impossible for any kind of life to
survive. This increase in global temperature of the Earth will have prolonged effects on the
planet, affecting the natural resources, the cycle of seasons and many other factors like rise in
water levels, melting of glaciers and so on. Scientists throughout the world believe that even if
the human race can check their pollution now and act more cautiously, the global warming will
still have its prolonged effects on this planet. A single rise in global temperature can create much
hazard in the balance of the eco-systems. This is what has happened after a more than a century
and a half of Industrialization and extreme hike in the usage and burning of fossil fuels
throughout the world. The main contributor to the Greenhouse Gases is Carbon Dioxide also
known as CO2. Carbon Dioxide is formed by burning fossil fuels. Today, climate change is
something that almost everyone can understand and feel the need to be concerned. This unusual
rise in the global heat has caused many glaciers to melt and will continue doing so. With melting
glaciers, the sea level will rise (Lange, Collins, Metzger & Ballard, 2018). With the temperature
of the sea being more warm after every year will immensely affect the eco-system of the water
bodies and the organisms surviving in it. Flooding is a huge example of global warming. The
whole world has seen so many devastating floods destroying everything that comes in its way
and turning a whole city into a desert with millions losing their homes and the lives of their
closed ones.
Global warming is the sole reason for the extinction of many species due to their inability to
change themselves as their eco-system is greatly affected by the rising temperature. Many
species including fish, birds and animals have gone extinct because they could not survive the
climate change and the changes it introduced in their respective eco-systems (Reid & Shafiqul
Alam, 2017). Many fish and birds had to change their migratory habits and many have died
because of inhabitant factors in their environment. The biodiversity of Australia is greatly
affected and hampered by the fast pace of climate change. Many bird species face extreme
threats of existence due to the unfamiliar changes in the climate system. Climate change is not

just related to rising temperature of the atmosphere, but is also intricately related with the
changes in human activities, degradation of vegetation, rising sea level, etc. Avian species of
Australia has been facing some huge changes in their environment and many of them are forced
to migrate earlier or depart later and most of the seabird-species of Australia are undergoing
dramatic changes when it comes to abundance and circulation (Prop et al., 2015). An unfamiliar
change in precipitation, irregular shifting of seasons, rising sea-level and the global rise in
temperature has led in disrupting the behaviors of the birds and the habitat that supports them.
The balance in their eco-system is malfunctioned and hence some have changed their migratory
habits and some have absolutely given up migration and is surviving on its non-migratory
instincts. Birds are becoming very vulnerable to the fast paced changing climate throughout the
world. Studies have shown that over 30% of the breeding birds are falling in numbers and need
to be conserved very soon for extinction threats and their inability to adapt or change with the
changing climate and the environment that surrounds them. Birds are being forced to migrate and
breed in colder temperatures due to the rise of temperature in their natural habitat. Generally,
most of the breeding birds will face survival threats and get affected by the climate change in a
number of ways (Jackson, Gergel & Martin, 2015). Most importantly it is going to affect the bird
species which depend on high-elevated forest lands, migratory birds and coastal breeding birds.
We shall now discuss the effects climate change has brought to these species and how they are
affected by it in their day-to-day lives, minimizing the chance of survival and maximizing the
chance of extinction.
Effects of Climate Change on Avian Species of Queensland
The avian species of Queensland and all over the world have been greatly affected by the
Climate Change. This has led to the extinction of many species, while some have been
categorized as threatened, as of now (Urban, 2015). Latest researches on wildlife and
conservation shows that more than 700 species of birds have been fatally affected by the climate
change. The results of the researches on the birds have shown that more than 23 per cent of the
birds, who have directly or indirectly been victim to climate change, have responded negatively.
In order to reduce the effects of climate change, it is utmost necessary to make the rest of the
human population aware of its negative impacts on the natural environment and society. In-depth
researches have been conducted on the life-rates of birds in Queensland, facing the negative

influences of climate change. Studies on the life-history rates like rates of survival, maturation
and breeding indicate towards a significant shift in population and composition of these species
(Wauchope et al., 2017). The Earth’s population is heavily dependent on its climate and this
dependence can be better understood with identification of particular factors that negatively
affect the natural environment, comprising of birds and mammals.
Birds that depend on high-elevation forest habitats are seriously threatened due to rampant
deforestation and clearing of the forests. Climate change leads to the thinning of atmospheric
layers, making it difficult for the birds to breathe or fly. The long-distance migratory birds are
also exposed to high levels of threat as the new climate and weather patterns are not well-known
to them. The coastal breeding birds are also at high risk as the rapid changes in climate make it
unfavorable for them to breed and grow. 49% of the bird species that belong to the hardwood
forests are facing a stiff survival challenge as the hardwood trees are losing their breeding
advantage over the years. Rampant deforestation also leads to destruction of their natural habitats
and makes their survival even more inconsistent. As a result of the climate change and other
changes in the weather patterns, these birds can hardly be seen in the Southeast region of
Queensland, Australia (Hoffmann et al., 2019). Long-distance migratory birds make up for 66%
of the total bird population, consisting of 36 species. The population of these birds has gone
down faster than the other species (Reside, VanDerWal, Garnett & Kutt, 2016). Food sources of
these migratory birds are shifting farther with the change in climate and they are not being able
to reach their abundance food spots within the short span of time. With shift in weather patterns,
the vegetation pattern also changes, leading to irregular times of fruiting for the birds. Early
fruiting or late fruiting causes a great dismay amongst the birds as they flew either too early or
too late for the food (Butt et al. 2015). The migrating birds rely on these fruits for their survival
and shortage of food kills more than half of the population. This method of bird extinction is
termed as ‘decoupling’, and it can affect adversely for the population of breeding birds, who
depend on this food for the breeding and survival of their young ones for the next generation.
There are many distinct cases how birds can go out of food due to imbalance in weather patterns
and it indicates that the balance in the birds’ ecosystem is disrupted due to climate change.
The coastal birds of Queensland are also vastly affected by the changing climate. Their
population has dropped down to alarming rates and many have developed distinct health issues,

which are passed on to future generations, greatly affecting their numbers due to an unnatural
change in their eco-system (Bakun et al., 2015). The most vital issue for the coastal birds is this
sudden rise of the sea-levels. Melting glaciers causing the sea-level to rise is sinking islands.
Islands, which are extremely necessary and crucial for these birds to survive, take shelter, seek
food and reproduce safely. Sinking islands is causing clustering of these birds into small spaces
or tiny islands which is causing much trouble in their survival. These coastal birds depend solely
on the ocean and its neighboring islands for food. The rise in the temperature of the water or
warming is disrupting the amount of food produced by the sea. It is changing many key factors in
the sea like the ratio of anchovies to sardines and hence is hugely affecting the whole cycle of
food distribution in the eco-system. These birds are also suffering for it because the quantity of
fish is rapidly decreasing due to change in the eco-system of the sea, hence the coastal birds are
face huge shortage of food which is their basic necessity. According to Dhanjal‐Adams (et al.,
2019), migration, food gathering, shelter and almost everything in their environment is altered
and affected by the changing climate and if the world does not act on this, it will be too late to
save these few remaining species who are struggling so much to live and adapt to the stupidities
of man.
Reducing the Effects of Climate Change on Avian Species
Although it is a very far-fetched vision, but we can still help in conserving these birds and
contribute in more unique ways to the environment. Reducing the effects of climate change on
avian species is not at all a challenging task and it requires empathy and the will to contribute
back to the environment which will then ensure the survival of these birds (Alsumaiti & Shahid,
2019). There are many ways to build a bird-friendly environment which will help the species in
finding proper food and shelter. Captive breeding has always played a key role in intensive
management. Captive breeding is often the last resort and is utilized when there is no other way
to ensure the species’ continuation. While using this method there are a number of management
issues that needs to be challenged, such as:
1. The challenge in establishing a self-sufficient captive population.
2. Ensuring a positive response in reintroducing captives back to their environment.
3. Managing the costs and other domestic responsibilities

These points will hopefully give the idea of a bird-friendly environment we all can create:-
1. Reducing Stress for Birds: The birds of Queensland face a number of wildlife
challenges that will be amplified for the accelerating change in the climate. We can help
with this by dealing with their existing stress. Birds experience stress and it is beneficial
sometimes for the bird in order to act actively in case of an emergency (Firn et al., 2015).
Birds get stressed when overcrowded in an area or when their habitat’s temperature
changes and also sometimes the inability to hide from threats. We can reduce this
existing stress for birds by identifying some of their basic needs in their environment
(Törnroos et al., 2016). We can help them by ensuring they get their proper food, fresh
water, a pollution free environment and spaces for their comfort and rest.
2. Building a bird-friendly backyard: In order to reduce the effects of climate change on
birds it is necessary to know what affects them the most and what is their necessity. Due
to climate change many birds suffer from inadequacy of food and energy. Therefore,
building bird-friendly backyards at every home can be a meaningful way to help these
birds survive the climate change. Providing water and food at the backyards can attract
these birds (Snep et al., 2016). Growing relevant trees that are suitable for the migratory
birds may also attract them to build nests. Basic amenities like food, shelter and
protection from predators help the birds a long way in survival of their species.
Improving strongholds of birds all over Queensland would help in reducing the alienating
effects of climate change on these species. Growing a bird friendly backyard full of trees
not only helps in protecting birds but also contributes towards creating more cool shades
and reducing the heat due to climate change.
3. Decreasing Greenhouse gas emissions: Carbon emissions in the atmosphere are one of
the biggest bearers of air pollution and climate change. Air pollution makes it more
difficult for the avian species to survive naturally. The harmful industrial gas emissions
affect these birds negatively and therefore it is utmost essential to reduce the harmful
emissions of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Air pollution is one of the major
reasons behind perpetual heating of the atmosphere and climate change. Constant
measures need to be taken to reduce air pollution in order to make the air fresh for these
birds (Way & Montgomery, 2015). Conserving energy at home can reduce these harmful
gas emissions in the air and help reducing wastage of energy.

4. Management strategies: By facilitating the response of wild populations we help in
many ways. We can maintain and enhance their habitat by expanding the protected area
network, maintain and improving the quality of the habitat, by identifying different bird
species and meeting with their needs and by creating new habitats. Preserving the
population is possible by captive breeding, predator control and protection of their habitat
(Hoeppner & Hughes, 2018). In the brink of climate change, protected areas will play an
important role in wildlife conservation specially helping the birds. Proper strategic
species management should be implemented on required geographical properties to attain
maximum positive results which will ensure the safety of and survival of these birds. The
next task will be to maintain and improve the quality of these habitats. It is one of the key
factors which if checked, can help the birds of Queensland live a normal life. These
habitats should be pollution free so that a proper, self-sustaining eco-system is developed
over time (La Sorte & Fink, 2017). The habitats should be free of large number of
predators, guaranteeing the survival of the birds. Extending and maintaining ecological
connectivity is one of the most efficient ways in safeguarding the survival of these birds.
Ecological connectivity helps to response to changed circumstances. For creating new
habitats, one has to target the species and the area for building one.
Conclusion
To conclude, The birds of Queensland need our concern for the protection and continuation of
their species. With the alarming rate of rising temperatures, sea-levels and deforestation, birds
need the environment to be free and to keep away from human presence. Moreover, some breeds
are on the brink of extinction and they can be conserved and reproduced by captive breeding. At
this stage, captive breeding will largely help in accumulating and multiplying the numbers of the
species that faces probable extinction threats.
Apart from captive breeding, we can also monitor and conduct research on various birds and
their needs. If we can ensure the safety of their environment, they can surely survive in it. To
understand the existing trends and to guarantee the continuation of these species one has to
monitor the processes implemented and act accordingly in the future. Dedicated surveys and cost
reducing efforts can greatly help the monitoring processes as it is necessary and is the basis for

any action. By targeting regions where climate change is expected to intensify one can easily
conduct thorough researches and act according to the situation. To conclude, there are many
ways in which we can help build a normal functioning environment for the avian species that
solely depend on the planet’s resources for food, shelter and reproduction.

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