• Light pollution increasing year round fo

    From ScienceDaily@1:317/3 to All on Thu Mar 31 22:30:44 2022
    Light pollution increasing year round for some migrating birds
    Southeastern U.S., Mexico, & Central America of greatest concern

    Date:
    March 31, 2022
    Source:
    Cornell University
    Summary:
    Nighttime light pollution levels are increasing the most in the
    southeastern United States, Mexico, and Central America--findings
    based on year-round data collected over the last two decades in
    the Western Hemisphere.



    FULL STORY ========================================================================== Nighttime light pollution levels are increasing the most in the
    southeastern United States, Mexico, and Central America -- findings
    based on year-round data collected over the last two decades in the
    Western Hemisphere. This trend is a real concern for birds that fly at
    night during spring and fall migration and even during non-migratory
    seasons. Results of the study by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and
    Colorado State University are published in Ecosphere.


    ==========================================================================
    "The southeastern United States, Mexico, and especially Central America
    are important migration corridors," said lead author Frank La Sorte
    at the Cornell Lab. "Evidence that nocturnally migrating birds are
    encountering increasing light pollution levels within these regions is concerning. Birds largely avoid light during the breeding and non-breeding season. During migration, however, these associations break down as birds travel across a wide range of habitats, including populated areas that
    contain higher light pollution levels." Light attracts and disorients
    birds during migration, often leading to injury and death after collisions
    with buildings. The authors found that light pollution levels during the
    past two decades have gone up over roughly 16% of the land area in the
    Western Hemisphere, with another 7% of land area experiencing a reduction
    in light pollution. Declines in light pollution are concentrated in the northeastern United States in conjunction with human population declines
    and urban decay in large cities (map).

    The study used data from eBird to generate weekly estimates of relative abundance for the 42 study species. eBird is a Cornell Lab citizen-science program in which volunteer bird watchers enter their observations from
    anywhere in the world. The authors intersected the weekly abundance
    estimates with satellite-based measures of year-round light pollution
    compiled over a 22-year period.

    Scientists found that all 42 bird species they studied occurred in
    regions with increasing light pollution levels. The strongest increases occurred during migration, especially for birds that migrated through
    Central America. The weakest increases occurred for birds that spent
    the summer breeding season in the northeastern United States.

    "Reversing light pollution trends in Central America, especially during
    the spring, and launching Lights Out programs during intense migration
    periods could save a substantial number of migrating birds," added study co-author Kyle Horton at Colorado State University. "Reversing light
    pollution trends in the southeastern United States during the summer
    breeding season and in Central America during the winter non-breeding
    season would generate the greatest benefits outside of migration periods."
    The hope is that by determining where and when birds are likely to
    encounter existing or increasing light pollution will lead to more
    effective efforts to reduce risks and increase bird survival.


    ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Cornell_University. Note: Content
    may be edited for style and length.


    ========================================================================== Journal Reference:
    1. Frank A. La Sorte, Kyle G. Horton, Alison Johnston, Daniel Fink, Tom
    Auer. Seasonal associations with light pollution trends for
    nocturnally migrating bird populations. Ecosphere, 2022; 13 (3)
    DOI: 10.1002/ ecs2.3994 ==========================================================================

    Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220331151212.htm

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