Precipitation, not warming temperatures, may be key in bird adaptation to climate change

Date:

July 11, 2014

Source:

Oregon State University

Summary:

A new model analyzing how birds in western North America will respond to climate change suggests that for most species, regional warming is not as likely to influence population trends as will precipitation changes. "In general, our study suggests that if climate change results in winters with less precipitation, we likely will see a spring drying effect," one researcher said. "This means that populations of drought-tolerant species will expand and birds that rely heavily on moisture should decline."

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