A study conducted by ornithologists from Michigan Technological University and the Federal University of Amazonas has revealed alarming trends in the populations of birds inhabiting the tropical forests of Central and South America. Data published in the journal Science indicate that over the past four decades, bird populations in protected areas of the jungles of Panama, Ecuador, and Brazil have decreased by 40-70%. The scientists emphasize that this concerns not migratory, but resident species that remain in their territories, protected from logging and fires.
One of the most vulnerable groups is insectivorous birds. In the Manaus region of Brazil, the populations of half of the studied species have declined by more than 50%, and their average weight has significantly decreased. The researchers attribute this to a deterioration in the food supply: their observations show that temperatures during the dry season have increased by 1°C, while precipitation levels have decreased by 7%, leading to a shortage of tropical insects.
To test their hypothesis, the scientists organized an experiment in which three kilometers of pipelines were installed for artificial forest irrigation to levels characteristic of the 1980s. Initial results confirmed their theory: in the irrigated areas, birds showed improved indicators of fat reserves in their blood and more frequently entered the reproductive cycle.
Ecologists conclude that lowland tropical birds may be evolutionarily unprepared for such changes and do not have the ability to move to cooler regions. As researcher Cory Tarwater emphasizes, the disappearance of these birds could negatively impact the forests themselves, as birds play a key role in pollination and seed dispersal, which is crucial for ecosystem restoration.
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