| American continent (North) |
| United States |
| Duda |
Dale notes kick in , and read the information
Friday March 25, 2011
A U.S. study appears to give the reason the canary Tweety Bird (Tweety). In the cartoon, the Bird Sylvester flees, who pursues him to eat. Now scientists say that the domestic cat is one of the major predators of birds.
research is to know who were the predators of the birds and the main causes of death of chicks leaving the nest.
So far the focus on mortality of birds was not on the cats, but in wind turbines to produce wind energy. The number of these large generators that has grown and bird collisions.
order to discover the causes of death in birds, scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and the University Towson, Maryland, USA, placed small radiotrasmisores in birds before they leave the nest and they could follow their journey once flew.
"It was not surprising in the sense that at that stage we knew that small birds are very vulnerable, are not adept at running away from predators, and not even be quite right to follow their parents," she tells Peter Marra, an author of the study.
"But what yes we were surprised that the top predator of birds turned out to be the domestic cat, "adds the scientist.
Of all birds in the experiment, predation was the cause of death of 80% of them . And more than half of these predators were cats.
And even though it is a small-scale research, scientists say that this is only a scientific proof of a phenomenon known: the cats are invasive species are responsible for the predation of small reptiles, birds and mammals.
The cat is one of the most popular pets worldwide. Domestication is relatively recent, but Hunter is an animal instinct.
Its impact on bird populations is immense, as determined conservationists. For example, are responsible for the extinction of 33 species of birds that inhabited islands.
The study found that in areas of the U.S. city of Washington, where the experiment took place and where many cats live longer, the young bird populations are smaller and tend to decrease, we Marra said.
According to estimates of the Bird Conservation Agency of the United States each year 500 million birds die as a result of attacks by domestic cats half and half by wild cats.
Do not have cats? "The solution is to not have cats, but try to get these pets do not go outside and stay indoors," says Marra.
According to this scientist, not good for cats to be outdoors, as there life expectancy is reduced by half. Are more prone to disease, car accidents and dog attacks, for example.
"It's about being responsible with our pets and the environment, to ensure that the balance of our wildlife is maintained properly, Marra added.
" Cats are not the only threat to the survival of birds, so are climate change and habitat loss. But man can try to reduce the impact of cats if you do not let them leave home, "says the scientist.
The impact of the turbines
Its impact on bird population is huge , as determined conservationists. For example, are responsible for the extinction of 33 species of birds that inhabited islands.
The study found that in areas of the U.S. city of Washington, where the experiment took place and where many cats live longer, the young bird populations are smaller and tend to decrease, explains Marra.
According to estimates of the Bird Conservation Agency of the United States each year 500 million birds die as a result of attacks by domestic cats half and half by wild cats.
Do not have cats? "The solution is to not have cats, but trying to make them pets go outside and stay indoors, "says Marra.
According to this scientist, not good for cats to be outdoors, as there life expectancy is reduced by half. They are more prone to disease, car accidents and dog attacks, for example.
"It's about being responsible with our pets and the environment, to ensure that the balance of our wildlife is maintained properly, Marra added .
"Cats are not the only threat to the survival of birds, so are climate change and habitat loss. But man can try to reduce the impact of cats if you do not leave home leave, "said the scientist.
The impact of the turbines
While wind power is a renewable energy source that causes very little impact on environment, one of its negative side is that large numbers of birds die each year from collisions with the blades of the generators.
Huge wind farms are often located in areas that serve as a migration path of birds. The presence of the turbines can generate a change in the migration route or make some disoriented birds.
According to the Bird Conservation Agency in the United States, about 444.000 birds die each year because of its impact with the turbines, but that figure is expected to increase to one million in 2030, to measure increase the number of wind farms to meet growing energy demand.
AlternativasLa south coast of Spain is an area where, twice a year, birds from Africa across the Strait of Gibraltar on their annual migration to Europe. It is also the European country with the richest of birds.
And several companies have implemented different measures to try to minimize the impact of wind farms on bird populations.
"Companies Fare zone detection using advanced systems of birds, using video cameras installed in wind turbines, which alert you when birds come and give a signal to reduce their speed turbines or are off" He explains Heikki Willstedt, energy policy director of the Wind Energy Association.
Another way to protect the birds have to do with the color of wind turbines.
"We know that color attract insects such as yellow, and the more insects, more birds. Therefore, some wind farms are choosing to paint the blades of windmills in purple, to repel the birds, "adds Willstedt.
Another English company has developed an audio system to output signals roll away birds, like a reminder of approaching a danger zone.
And while intensifying efforts to protect birds from wind farms, Tweety will run from cats, which is a predator number one.
BBC
BBC
True or False ... You think?
0 comments:
Post a Comment