Daily Dispatch

Bird species in deadly danger

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THEY say the early bird catches the worm‚ butwhat if there are no birds . . . or worms?

Birds are vanishing from indigenous forests‚ especially in the Eastern Cape‚ and mopane worms – a key part of life in Limpopo – are in significan­t decline.

Separate academic studies have revealed the new threats to biodiversi­ty caused by environmen­tal changes and loss of habitat.

A team from Stellenbos­ch University and the Department of Environmen­tal Affairs‚ which analysed 25 years of citizen science data collected by the Southern African Bird Atlas Project‚ found that half the country’s 57 forest-dwelling bird species are vanishing.

Stellenbos­ch behavioura­l ecologist Michael Cherry said indigenous forests in the former homelands of the Ciskei and Transkei were the main worry.

“Some bird species have from these forests.

“But we do not know whether this implies a decline in population or whether they are simply moving somewhere else‚” he said.

Nearby plantation­s of pines and gums were a threat to some birds.

“They build nests in the understore­y of indigenous forest‚ which is vulnerable to trampling if cattle are allowed to graze there‚” he said.

The study‚ published in Bird Conservati­on Internatio­nal‚ said indigenous forests make up less than 1% of South Africa’s landscape but are home to some 14% of terrestria­l birds.

Further studies led by Cherry‚ including experts from Harvard in the US‚ are aimed at looking at the threat to other animals, as well as birds. disappeare­d

“If birds – perhaps the most mobile of animals – are being negatively affected by forest degradatio­n‚ then other animal species are likely to be worse affected‚” he said.

The Limpopo study‚ by University of Cape Town master’s student James Sekonya‚ found that mopane worms are in decline in communitie­s where they are an important food source‚ a trading commodity and an intrinsic part of cultural practices.

“Household consumptio­n and trade patterns were altered as a result of the weather and climatic conditions shock arising from the El Nino phenomenon‚” said Sekonya.

Improved co-operation was needed between traditiona­l leaders‚ harvesters and local government­s to manage harvesting areas more efficientl­y, he said. — TMG

 ?? Picture: JESSICA LEAVER ?? DISAPPEARI­NG FAST: Indigenous forests make up less than 1% of South Africa’s landscape but are home to 14% of its terrestria­l birds, many of which are endemic or rangerestr­icted. These forest patches are highly fragmented, with most remaining forests...
Picture: JESSICA LEAVER DISAPPEARI­NG FAST: Indigenous forests make up less than 1% of South Africa’s landscape but are home to 14% of its terrestria­l birds, many of which are endemic or rangerestr­icted. These forest patches are highly fragmented, with most remaining forests...

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