Migratory waterbirds stand to feel the effects of climate change at their breeding areas in the High Arctic and in Africa, according to a new study.
The research team came to this conclusion after modeling climatic and hydrological conditions under current and future climate scenarios (in 2050) and comparing the impact on the distribution of 197 of the 255 waterbird species listed under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).
The results suggest that investing more in habitat conservation in the wider landscape, in addition to the conservation of managed protected areas, is urgently necessary to help migratory waterbirds adapt to the impacts of climate change.