Climate crisis threatens migratory species: UN report warns

In a significant development at the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai (UNFCCC COP28), a new report by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) has highlighted the dire consequences of climate change on migratory species and their critical role in providing ecosystem services.

The report, released today, underscores the observable effects of climate change, including shifts in species’ ranges towards the poles, alterations in migration patterns, and a decline in breeding success and survival rates.

Global warming harms migratory species

Migratory species are integral to their ecosystems, offering services that help mitigate climate impacts and bolster resilience against climatic hazards. However, the report presents strong evidence that rising global temperatures are adversely affecting a wide range of migratory species. Notably, temperature increases have been linked to changes in krill reproduction and survival, which in turn negatively affects marine mammals and seabirds dependent on krill.

The report also points to the influence of climate change on the distribution and timing of migratory species’ movements. Warmer temperatures are driving species to move poleward and commence migration and breeding earlier. This shift poses a risk of a mismatch between the breeding times of species like wading birds and the peak abundance of their prey.

Furthermore, changes in water availability are leading to the loss of wetlands and reduced river flows, impacting the migration of fish and waterbirds. Extreme climate events, such as landslides, have caused severe habitat destruction, particularly at seabird breeding sites.

Additionally, migratory seabirds and marine mammals are expected to face challenges due to alterations in oceanic currents, which could transform the nature and functioning of many marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

The urgency to act is clear, with the report advocating for immediate measures to aid vulnerable migratory species in adapting to climate change. This includes establishing comprehensive networks of protected areas and other conservation measures to facilitate species movement. In some instances, direct human interventions, such as translocating vulnerable populations, may be necessary.

UK study on climate impact

Commissioned by the UK Government through the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), the study titled ‘Climate change and migratory species: a review of impacts, conservation actions, indicators and ecosystem services’ serves as a major contribution to understanding and addressing the challenges faced by migratory species in a changing climate.

“Nature underpins the very fabric of our lives – the ecosystems, food and water security upon which we all depend, as well as the health of our economies. The challenges that these migratory species face as a result of climate change are a powerful demonstration of the need for coordinated global action to protect our environment, which is why the UK is taking a leading role in efforts to restore nature, halt biodiversity loss and achieve our stretching targets to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030.”

Rt Hon Steve Barclay,
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

The interdependence of biodiversity loss and climate change has been brought to the forefront by a recent report, emphasizing the urgency of addressing both crises simultaneously.

In 2021, leading scientists from the fields of biodiversity and climate change issued a stark warning: the two phenomena are mutually reinforcing, and neither can be resolved without a concerted effort to tackle both. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted last year, acknowledges the critical role of nature-based solutions in combating climate change, particularly through its Target 8.

The conservation of migratory species and their habitats is highlighted as a key component in the fight against both biodiversity decline and climate change.

Migratory species face climate threats

Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), stresses the delicate balance on which migratory species depend. Their extensive journeys to specific habitats for survival and reproduction are being disrupted by climate change, affecting ecosystems and resource availability. This disruption is a warning sign of the broader effects of climate change on the interconnected web of life on our planet. Fraenkel calls for immediate global action to mitigate these impacts and safeguard the future of migratory species.

Migratory species play a vital role in ecosystem functioning and climate change mitigation. They are instrumental in seed dispersal and nutrient movement, and large migratory species contribute to carbon sequestration through the decomposition of their feces in soil or seabeds.

Additionally, they support complex processes that maintain trophic webs, protecting forests and seagrass beds crucial for carbon storage. Migratory species also aid in climate change adaptation by enhancing ecosystem resilience; for instance, seabird guano enriches nutrients for coral reef growth, reducing coastal erosion.

The report underscores the necessity for international cooperation to conserve migratory species, with CMS serving as a platform for such collaborative efforts. By protecting migratory species and their habitats under CMS, countries can achieve dual benefits, contributing to the objectives of both the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Professor Colin Galbraith, Former Chair of JNCC and CMS COP-Appointed Councillor for Climate Change, highlights the report’s robust scientific evidence of climate change’s significant impact on migratory species. With time running out for many iconic species, Galbraith urges raising global awareness of the potential solutions and calls on governments to take action based on the report’s findings, seeking nature-based solutions that will aid migratory species and mitigate climate change effects.

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