Monday 8 August, 2016
New technologies reveal that many
birds fly father, faster, and through more varied routes than previously
thought, indicates a new report. The information reinforces the notion that
billions of birds migrate from the massive boreal forest that spans northern
Canada. It also shows that birds depend on much larger masses of healthy
habitat that was previously thought.
The boreal
forest is “the breeding ground and the starting point in migration for
around three to five billion birds we estimate,” says Kevin Smith, national
manager of boreal programs for Ducks Unlimited Canada. “So maintaining the
diversity and types of habitat across that area is critically important.”
Time for a new treaty, concludes
report
It was 100 years ago that the Migratory
Bird Convention was passed. It was a treaty that helped many bird
species rebound from near extinction. Conservation groups call it a breakthrough,
but say it’s time for another one.
They are calling on the leaders
of Canada, the U.S. and Mexico to “develop a vision for the next 100 years of
bird conservation.” They would like leaders to protect at least half of the
boreal forest and to apply modern standards to developing remaining areas. They
also ask that indigenous people play a leading role in conservation efforts and
that there be more support for research.
