Sea-level rise could squeeze shorebirds out of critical coastal habitat, researchers find
As sea levels rise, coastal wetlands around the world are expected to shrink—and researchers at the University of British Columbia have found this could put the world's shorebirds and their critical habitat at risk.
Coastal wetlands are at risk as rising sea levels shrink their space, putting shorebirds and their critical habitats in jeopardy, according to a new study. Published in Biodiversity and Conservation, the first global systematic review examined 29 species of shorebirds and found predominantly negative impacts of sea-level rise on both habitat and populations.
Lead author Jennifer Magel, a UBC Ph.D. student, warns that coastal development and infrastructure like dikes and roads hinder wetlands' ability to migrate inland, leading to a phenomenon known as coastal squeeze. This review highlights the need for conservation efforts, as 78% of studies found negative impacts on habitat and 89% on shorebird populations.
The consequences extend beyond habitat loss, as projected population impacts were found to be more severe than habitat loss alone in eight of nine studies. Shorebirds rely on coastal habitats for feeding and nesting during migration, and their loss could have cascading effects on entire bird populations. The researchers urge planners to protect inland space, remove barriers, enhance sediment supplies, and consider managed coastal retreat to help shorebirds adapt to rising seas.
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