Human-Caused High Direct Mortality in Birds: Unsustainable Trends and Ameliorative Actions
Human interaction with birds has never been more positive and supported by so many private citizens and professional groups. However, direct mortality of birds from anthropogenic causes has increased and has led to significant annual losses of birds. We know of the crucial impact of habitat loss on...
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| author | Gisela Kaplan |
| author_facet | Gisela Kaplan |
| author_sort | Gisela Kaplan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Human interaction with birds has never been more positive and supported by so many private citizens and professional groups. However, direct mortality of birds from anthropogenic causes has increased and has led to significant annual losses of birds. We know of the crucial impact of habitat loss on the survival of birds and its effects on biodiversity. Direct mortality via anthropogenic causes is an additive but biologically important cause of avian decline. This is the focus of this paper. This paper synthesises and interprets the data on direct anthropogenic causes of mortality in birds, and it also discusses emerging and relatively hidden problems, including new challenges that birds may not be able to manage. This paper points out that such deaths occur indiscriminately and have negative behavioural and reproductive consequences even for survivors. All of these factors are important to address, because any functional habitat depends on birds. This paper suggests that some of this death toll can be reduced substantially and immediately, even some of the seemingly intractable problems. This paper also proposes cross-disciplinary solutions, bearing in mind that “ecosystem services” provided by birds benefit us all, and that the continued existence of avian diversity is one cornerstone for human survival. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b78d8e48e0be4fa3800dc8324cab7663 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj-art-b78d8e48e0be4fa3800dc8324cab76632025-01-10T13:13:58ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-12-011517310.3390/ani15010073Human-Caused High Direct Mortality in Birds: Unsustainable Trends and Ameliorative ActionsGisela Kaplan0School of Science & Technology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, AustraliaHuman interaction with birds has never been more positive and supported by so many private citizens and professional groups. However, direct mortality of birds from anthropogenic causes has increased and has led to significant annual losses of birds. We know of the crucial impact of habitat loss on the survival of birds and its effects on biodiversity. Direct mortality via anthropogenic causes is an additive but biologically important cause of avian decline. This is the focus of this paper. This paper synthesises and interprets the data on direct anthropogenic causes of mortality in birds, and it also discusses emerging and relatively hidden problems, including new challenges that birds may not be able to manage. This paper points out that such deaths occur indiscriminately and have negative behavioural and reproductive consequences even for survivors. All of these factors are important to address, because any functional habitat depends on birds. This paper suggests that some of this death toll can be reduced substantially and immediately, even some of the seemingly intractable problems. This paper also proposes cross-disciplinary solutions, bearing in mind that “ecosystem services” provided by birds benefit us all, and that the continued existence of avian diversity is one cornerstone for human survival.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/1/73biodiversityavian mortalitycat attackswindow collisionsecosystem serviceswind turbines |
| spellingShingle | Gisela Kaplan Human-Caused High Direct Mortality in Birds: Unsustainable Trends and Ameliorative Actions Animals biodiversity avian mortality cat attacks window collisions ecosystem services wind turbines |
| title | Human-Caused High Direct Mortality in Birds: Unsustainable Trends and Ameliorative Actions |
| title_full | Human-Caused High Direct Mortality in Birds: Unsustainable Trends and Ameliorative Actions |
| title_fullStr | Human-Caused High Direct Mortality in Birds: Unsustainable Trends and Ameliorative Actions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Human-Caused High Direct Mortality in Birds: Unsustainable Trends and Ameliorative Actions |
| title_short | Human-Caused High Direct Mortality in Birds: Unsustainable Trends and Ameliorative Actions |
| title_sort | human caused high direct mortality in birds unsustainable trends and ameliorative actions |
| topic | biodiversity avian mortality cat attacks window collisions ecosystem services wind turbines |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/1/73 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT giselakaplan humancausedhighdirectmortalityinbirdsunsustainabletrendsandameliorativeactions |