More than half of the world’s bird species are experiencing declines, painting a stark picture of a biodiversity crisis that demands urgent attention. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite global awareness, these declines continue unabated, driven largely by human actions like deforestation. This alarming trend comes as world leaders gather in the UAE for a pivotal biodiversity summit, underscoring the urgency and scale of the problem.
According to a comprehensive new global report, a staggering 61% of bird species that have been evaluated are seeing their numbers shrink. This is a sharp rise from just under a decade ago, when 44% of species were in decline. The losses are widespread—from the uniquely vibrant Schlegel’s asity in Madagascar to the charming northern nightingale-wren that inhabits Central America. These birds are losing vital habitats as forests are cleared for agriculture and expanding human settlements.
Dr. Ian Burfield, who coordinates global science for BirdLife, highlights the severity: “Three out of five bird species globally are declining, revealing how deep the biodiversity crisis runs. It’s a wake-up call for governments worldwide to fulfill their commitments under numerous international conservation agreements.”
This discussion is timely, as conservationists convene in Abu Dhabi for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) congress to debate the future of the planet’s most vulnerable wildlife. In a world where environmental policies often struggle against political and economic pressures, scientists emphasize the critical need for governments to act on recent promises to protect natural habitats more effectively.
Birds are not just beautiful creatures; they are vital to ecosystem health. They contribute to pollination, seed dispersal, and pest control. For example, hornbills living in tropical regions can distribute up to 12,700 large seeds per square kilometer every day, playing a huge role in maintaining forest ecosystems.
Dr. Malin Rivers from Botanic Gardens Conservation International points out the deep connection between birds and trees: “Birds depend on trees for survival, and trees rely on birds for their regeneration.” This interdependence means that declines in bird populations can have cascading effects on entire ecosystems.
On a more hopeful note, the recovery of the green sea turtle offers tangible proof that focused conservation efforts can succeed. Once labeled endangered, this marine species has improved enough to be considered of least concern today, with populations growing by 28% since the 1970s. Successes like protected nesting sites on Ascension Island, in Brazil, Mexico, and Hawaii have been instrumental.
Roderic Mast, co-chair of IUCN’s marine turtle specialist group, emphasizes this achievement as “a powerful demonstration of what coordinated global conservation over decades can do to stabilize and even restore populations of long-lived marine species.”
However, not all news is positive. Arctic seal populations, such as bearded and harp seals, are facing a chilling fate due to climate change. The disappearance of sea ice—crucial for resting and breeding—has triggered steep declines in their numbers. Since these seals are key prey for polar bears, the entire Arctic food web is at risk.
Dr. Kit Kovacs from the Norwegian Polar Institute reminds us, “Each year, the melting sea ice in Svalbard reveals just how imperiled Arctic seals have become. Their struggles to breed, rest, and feed illustrate that climate change is not a distant threat but a present reality impacting wildlife right now.”
This raises a contentious question: with such clear evidence of biodiversity loss and climate impacts, why do global commitments often seem insufficient or slow to translate into effective conservation? Are governments truly prepared to make the hard choices needed to save these species?
For more in-depth reporting on the ongoing extinction crisis, follow the work ofPhoebe Weston and Patrick Greenfield through the Guardian app, and explore the extensive Age of Extinction series.
