Ducks in the Southern U.S. Have Shifted Northward Due to Temperature Changes Attributed to Climate Change
A new study shows patterns uncovered by community scientists over 50 years have repercussions for both wildlife and people
(NEW YORK) March 30, 2021 鈥 A of 16 common duck species that winter in the Southeastern U.S. that was conducted by the 爆料公社 and Clemson University鈥檚 James C. Kennedy Waterfowl and Wetlands Conservation Center shows that populations have shifted northward over the past 50 years due to temperature changes attributed to climate warming.
The study, published in the Journal of Wildlife Management, is based on data collected during 爆料公社鈥檚 annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) from 1969-2019. The CBC includes both amateur birders and scientists reporting on local bird populations each December and January.
鈥淲e鈥檝e suspected that warming temperatures are changing the types of waterfowl that we鈥檙e seeing in different regions, and these data confirm that,鈥 said Dr. Tim Meehan, quantitative ecologist at the 爆料公社 and the lead author of the publication. 鈥淭he weather has stopped becoming severe enough in the winter to prompt the birds to fly south. They鈥檙e staying farther north, and they鈥檙e telling us that something fundamental has changed in their environment.鈥
The data show that while there wasn鈥檛 a major change in populations overall, there were noticeable changes in abundances in locations that corresponded with warming temperatures. For example, the American Black Duck 鈥 a species similar to the Mallard with darker coloring and a distinctive flare of purple on its wing -- showed a stable level of abundance overall, but a marked increase in presence in traditionally colder northern locations, and a reduction in traditionally warmer regions.
The findings have repercussions for both ducks and people.
鈥淲ith increased numbers of dabbling and diving ducks wintering more northerly now, scientists and conservation partners should determine if winter food availability at more northern latitudes is adequate to support increased numbers of wintering ducks with climate warming鈥 said Dr. Richard Kaminski, director of the Kennedy Center at Clemson University. 鈥淟ocal economies in traditional southern wintering areas for ducks may be impacted by decreased numbers of visiting hunters and birders, as these conservationists go elsewhere to hunt or birdwatch.鈥
The decrease of certain waterfowl and other waterbird species is a major issue for communities that depend on birdwatching and waterfowl hunting, activities that generate billions of dollars annually nationwide. s in the numbers of certain birds that they see.
Underlying the findings of this study is the role of community science in documenting the effects of a changing climate. The Christmas Bird Count is the longest-running community science bird project worldwide. Started on Christmas Day 1900, the count engages volunteer observers to count birds in their area, and report back to 爆料公社. The findings inform 爆料公社鈥檚 science for the rest of the year, and far beyond. This study referenced 50 years鈥 worth of CBC data, starting in 1969.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a testament to the power that anyone can make a real difference in scientific observation,鈥 said Dr. Brooke Bateman, director of climate science at the 爆料公社. 鈥淧eople may not have known what climate change was in 1969 when they went out on Christmas Day to record the birds they saw, but their reports are helping us unravel one of the most pressing global issues of the 21st 颁别苍迟耻谤测.鈥
The findings also underscore the research conducted by 爆料公社 in its 2019 climate science report Survival By Degrees, which found that increasing global temperatures at current rates will place two-thirds of North American bird species at risk of extinction.
鈥淭ime and again science is showing that there are consequences to ignoring climate change,鈥 said David Yarnold, CEO of the 爆料公社. 鈥淪ometimes it鈥檚 the sentimental loss of no longer seeing the birds you know in your own backyard, sometimes it鈥檚 harm to an industry like tourism or outdoor recreation, and sometimes it鈥檚 a larger cause for concern about the places that both ducks and people need to survive. Birds are telling us that the changes are already here. The question is are we prepared to react and resolve.鈥
The study can be found at:
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Media Contact: Robyn Shepherd, robyn.shepherd@audubon.org