Seaside sparrows caught between predators, rising seas

Date: July 12, 2017

Source: American Ornithological Society Publications Office

Summary: Sea-level rise is a problem for saltmarsh birds, but so is predation, and birds sometimes find themselves caught between two threats: They can nest lower in vegetation to avoid predators, putting them at risk of flooding, or move up to keep dry but risk getting eaten. A new study finds that pressure from predators increases flooding risk for seaside sparrow nests -- but that protecting them from predators could also mitigate the effects of climate change.

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