State of the Birds 2010 Report on Climate Change

Introduction Unprecedented partnership - and collaborative effort by many – a diverse group of Federal, State, and nongovernment organizations Subcommittee of the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI) Partners working together State of the Birds 2009 Report

Introduction Troubling declines in bird populations are a warning signal of the failing health of some of our ecosystems. The Report illustrated how, by working together, we can have a demonstrable positive impact on the populations of birds in our country. State of the Birds 2009 Report

Ongoing work on the State of the Birds State of the Birds Report Continued updates on the website stateofthebirds.org Continued communications to wide range of audiences Focused report every year Complete report updates every 5 years – Arctic National Wildlife Refuge/USFWS

State of the Birds Partnerships

State of the Birds Climate Change Instead of describing what has happened to bird populations, the 2010 report predicts what may happen to bird populations in the major biomes and habitats of the U.S. as a consequence of climate change.

Assumptions State of the Birds Climate Change Birds are good indicators of habitat conditions and therefore can illustrate how ecosystems are likely to change. Birds can tell us an important story about climate change. Golden Eagle /USFWS

Report Focus State of the Birds Climate Change Information about birds and their habitats Examples of what could happen Outlines efforts to help To maintain birds and their habitats: Proactive measures needed Targeted programs remain necessary Monitoring programs Partnerships - local, State, Tribal, Federal government, nongovernmental organizations, private citizens Island Shoreline//USFWS

State of the Birds Climate Change Assessed - likely threats from climate change to each bird species in the U.S. Categorized - possible threats and risks for bird species in major biomes and habitats in the U.S. The predicted risk to bird populations is a critical component of planning management activities to mitigate the effects of climate change on bird populations - help maintain viable bird populations. Nesting Terns /USFWS

Red=high vulnerability Yellow=medium vulnerability Green=low vulnerability State of the Birds Climate Change Some bird species will adapt and succeed, others will struggle and some may disappear. Across all habitats, species of conservation concern showed higher levels of vulnerability to climate change than species not threatened by other factors. Vulnerability to climate change may hasten declines or prevent recovery.

State of the Birds Climate Change Components of Sensitivity Migration Status Breeding Habitat Obligate Dispersal Ability Niche Specificity Reproductive Potential Sensitivity of birds to assessed - on five basic traits and scored as zero (low sensitivity) or one (high sensitivity). Sage Juniper by Terry Rich

State of the Birds Climate Change General Habitat Exposure Species restricted to "sub-habitats" that are believed to be at highest risk of disappearance or severe degradation due to climate change. Scored the exposure of each species’ habitat to climate change impacts on a scale of zero (low climate exposure), one (medium), or two (high). Erin Macchia

Oceans All 67 ocean bird species such as albatrosses, petrels, shearwaters, boobies, tropical terns, tropicbirds, frigatebirds, puffins and related species in U.S. waters show a medium or high vulnerability to climate change. Existing stressors must be reduced, bycatch of birds; pollution; introduced predators and plants, overharvest of fish Restoration, site protection on higher islands New marine protected areas needed Horned Puffin/Vernon Bryd

Coasts The great majority of coastal species show medium or high vulnerability to climate change. Communities must take climate change into account as they develop zoning and building codes. Avoid hard barriers Avoid restricting the inland migration of coastal beaches, marshes, mangroves or other wetlands. Bonaparte’s Gull/Philina English

Arctic/Alpine Minimize human-induced stresses Increase the network of protected areas in the arctic Improve monitoring systems Reduce atmospheric carbon 72% of the 83 arctic and alpine species have medium or high vulnerability to climate change. Temperature increases in the arctic in the last 50 years are twice that of the rest of the globe. Spectacled Eider/USFWS

Islands 93% of Hawaiian birds show medium or high vulnerability; 62% of all U S. Pacific island birds exhibit medium or high vulnerability; 49% of Caribbean birds show medium or high vulnerability to climate change. Akohekohe by Jack Jeffrey

Islands – Key Steps Protect and restore all natural systems on U.S. islands Protected areas need to be large and numerous Protect and restore high elevation habitat Implement programs to control invasive plants and animals Reduce mosquito breeding habitat Akohekohe by Jack Jeffrey

Aridlands Preserve additional habitat Barriers that prohibit movement should be removed or minimized Riparian areas need to be protected and restored More than 40% of aridland bird species show medium or high vulnerability to climate changes. Phainopela/USFWS

Wetlands Wetlands are susceptible to even minor changes in precipitation and temperature and may be degraded or eliminated if no action is taken to counteract climate change impacts 1/3 of 165 wetland breeding species in the United States show medium or high vulnerability to climate change. Northern Pintail/USFWS

Grasslands More than half of grassland species are expected to face additional pressures because of climate change. Southwestern grasslands, vital to breeding and wintering bird species, are already threatened by stressors. Restore and protect large patches of healthy grasslands Conservation grasslands associated with wetlands is critical Proper siting of energy projects in grasslands is vital Dickcissel /USFWS

Forests Roughly 1/3 of the 312 forest breeding species in the U.S. show high or medium vulnerability to climate change; the most vulnerable species include aerial insectivores and high-elevation breeders. Increase resilience of forests - accommodate gradual changes - restoring natural fire regimes where possible, restoring natural hydrology Townsand Warbler /USFWS

Press opportunity is still growing – 500 media mentions and many blogs and presentations. Briefings on the hill Opportunity for organizations to use this report to focus on bird conservation. State of the Birds Climate Change

“When doctors detect symptoms early enough, they can save lives. When conservationists can detect problems early enough, they can prevent extinction.” Albatross chick by Brad Bortner State of the Birds Climate Change