Mečislovas Žalakevičius

BIRD MIGRATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to explain and forecast the dependency of different migratory processes: spring arrival dates, migratory take-off, transit autumnal and spring migrations, migration abruption, and their characteristics upon different climatic parameters. We tried to explain the change in migratory-resident state of birds, and defined the effect of climate change upon species specificity of bird migration, mechanisms controlling migratory movements and accuracy of forecasting migratory flights. Attention is focussed on the aspects of the effect of climate change upon migration in environmental protection and other branches of economy.

Global Climate Change Impact on Bird Numbers, Population State and Distribution Areas

In this second article of the series of publications, the material confirming the impact of the global climate change on different bird species included and not included into the Red Data Book of Lithuania, changes of their ranges, population state, and characteristics of migrations is presented. There are also presented lists of bird species, which are shifting their ranges northeastward or eastward in the Baltic region under the influence of global warming. It was established that the impact of global climate change upon birds of terrestrial and wetland complexes is more evident than upon waterfowl. Attempts have also been made to explain some data on changes in bird fauna published by foreign authors on the basis of global climate change impact upon their ranges in those regions.

GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ON BREEDING BIRD SPECIES AND THEIR POPULATIONS IN LITHUANIA: STATUS, POPULATION ESTIMATE AND DISTRIBUTION TRENDS

Abstract Recently in Lithuania the trends of population state alterations in many bird species have been observed which in this article are interpreted in the terms of global climate change. The hypothesis has been verified on the example of all bird species breeding in the country, included and not included into the Red Data Book of Lithuania. Statistical data for separate bird groups with certain trends of changes in populations are presented. Bird distribution areas shift towards the north has been defined and proved which in Lithuania and the Baltic countries has a north-eastern direction due to the geographical position of the region. Rare and endangered bird species which may be primarily effected by the shift of distribution areas are listed. Feasible exceptions of this impact caused by active human intervention are discussed.

Global Climate Change and Its Impact on Wetlands and Waterbird Populations

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the obtained data for the dependency of wetland carrying capacity upon the global climate change process. The article presents material confirming the impact of global climate change on different breeding bird species and populations, changes of their ranges and population state. A list of bird species, which are shifting their ranges north-eastward or eastward in the Baltic region under the influence of global warming, is presented. The impact of global warming on birds of water complexes was found to be more evident than the impact on terrestrial birds. We also attempted to explain changes in key bird staging and wintering areas due to climate change. Attention is focused on the aspects of the effect of climate change upon birds in environmental protection, aviation flight safety and other branches of economy.

Bird Migration and the Climate: A Review of the Studies Conducted in Lithuania in the Context of Climate Change

Studies employing different methods enabled us to investigate the relation between bird migration and the climate and the role of this relation in bird migration control. The conclusions are based on the results obtained for various stages of the migratory process: spring arrival, take-off, migratory en route flight, and migration abruption. Species specificity with regard to control is more pronounced in the stages of spring arrival, migratory take-off, and migration abruption, whereas it is less pronounced in the stage of the transitory migratory flight. This could be considered an expression of adaptations acquired in the course of evolution. The birds’ strategy to initiate the flight under environmental conditions ideal for migration provides a greater probability to continue migration under conditions favourable for orientation, energy, and aerodynamics. One of the purposes of this paper is to demonstrate the dependence of different stages of the migratory processes on changes in climatic characteris...

Trends in the Composition of Breeding Bird Communities: Anthropogenic or Climate Change Induced Process?

The article supports the hypothesis that the balance between anthropogenic and climate change-induced impacts on bird communities in the Baltic States has recently shifted towards a more pronounced climate impact. The results suggest that a climate warming-induced change in the composition of bird communities is not a universal process: it is a spatial and species-specific process. The article demonstrates that the impact of climate change on moist habitat birds is more dramatic than that on wetland, water and terrestrial birds. Birds of moist habitats predominate among the species with decreasing Lithuanian populations on the southern periphery of the species range. A list of affected bird species is presented and a new conception for more effective bird protection is introduced.

THE IMPACT OF GLOBAL WARMING UPON SPRING ARRIVAL OF BIRDS

Abstract The present paper considers the impact of global warming upon spring arrival of birds in Lithuania, Žuvintas Strict Nature Reserve, basing on registration of phenological phenomena since 1966. The analysis of arrival dates of 128 bird species registered showed that under the effect of global warming spring arrival dates in Žuvintas became markedly earlier both for short- and long-distance migrants. The difference in these dates is greater and better manifests at the beginning of the arrival season, and it is less at the end of the season for short-distance migrants but more constant for long-distance migrants. Furthermore, climate change was observed to induce shifts in the overall arrival season of birds—both beginning and end. There was established species (group) specificity between arrival dates of short- and long-distance migrants.

Bird Numbers, Population State, and Distribution Areas in the Eastern Baltic Region in the Context of the Impact of Global Climate Change

The article presents a review of the material attesting to the impact of global climate change on different breeding bird species and to changes in their ranges and population state. The lists of bird species that are shifting their ranges northeastwards and eastwards in the Baltic region influenced by global warming are given. Rare and endangered bird species first to be affected by shifting ranges are introduced. Exceptions possible because of active interference of man are discussed. The impact of global climate change has been established to be more evident on birds of terrestrial and wetland complexes than on waterfowl. This piece of work is applicable in the field of environmental protection and various branches of economy.

The State of Biodiversity and its Conservation Problems in the Most Important Wetlands of Lithuania – in Strict State Reserves

The article deals with the importance of wetlands for the preservation of biological diversity of the country on the basis of the most important protected territories – strict state reserves. The Ramsar Convention and the Convention on Biological diversity, the strategy of biodiversity conservation and its protection policy as well as their implementation in national environment protection are surveyed therein. The article also provides a short description of values of nature reserves. Despite the fact that these territories are provided with protection, considerable damage had already been inflicted on them by human activities (reclamation, development of agriculture, intense pollution) undertaken there or in adjacent areas. Unfortunately, human activities with their resultant deleterious effect were not terminated even after the establishment of nature reserves. The article points out the major problems existing in the most important national wetlands and proposes ways of their solving.

Wildlife Response to Climate Warming: Evidence, Future Research and Co-Operation Prospects

Climate is one of the major limiting factors in nature. During the last two decades some seasons of the year have warmed up to a varying extent in different regions: climate warming is time- and space- specific. Changes in wildlife first of all reflect changes in habitats and ecosystems. Wildlife could be used as an indicator of global climate change and anthropogenic impact. These changes reveal new urgent ecological and practical problems at the science-policy interface. The knowledge of wildlife response to climate is necessary for the fulfilment of new commitments related to international conventions, revision of conservation strategies, development of action plans and programmes, implementation of concrete measures as well as solving problems in different branches of economy: agriculture, forestry, environmental protection, fishery, transport and hunting. Because of universal processes, regulating the interaction between ecosystems and wildlife as one of its components, long-term local investigations...