Your Role in Bird Conservation
Abstract
Birds are critical to the infrastructure of countless
ecosystems. They comprise large components of food webs,
actively disperse seeds, pollinate, modulate insect
populations, etc. Furthermore, they serve as excellent
indicator species for the health of ecosystems and effects of
climate change. Despite conservation and management
efforts, populations are decreasing at an alarming rate. North
American avifauna has experienced a net loss of almost one
third of its 1970 abundance about three billion birds
lost ), including many common habitat generalists. S imple
lifestyle changes could prove critical to saving species from
extinction. We also need to transform our view of our own
private land and gardens as opportunities to protect and
restore biodiversity. Focus should be placed upon declining
species before they become listed as endangered.