On the occasion of the celebration, the first weekend of October of the World Bird Day on the initiative of BirdLife International, Ecologistas en Acción informs that the changes in the extension and quality of the natural habitats due to the climate change could become decisive factors for the options of survival of the birds.

The experts predictions about the future of a part of wetlands are frightening and consequently, to a part of their variety and spectacular wild birds.

The rise of the average temperatures, and the reduction and more irregularity of the precipitations forecasted in a climate change, particularly in the area influenced by the Mediterranean climate will probably produce an increase of the aridity. Undoubtedly, the humid areas will be the most affected habitats by the climate change. They represent in general, the most dynamic and productive natural spaces, with an outstanding presence of birds of interest and endangered species.

It is more than probable that we will be witnesses, in the next decades, of changes in the density and distribution of species, affecting to diverse birds strongly dependant on afforested areas. In addition, the rise of the temperatures will raise the magnitude of wildfires, affecting indirectly to so emblematic and endangered birds such as the Imperial Eagle, the Black Vulture, etc. It is also very important not to forget about the foliar decay, is a serious disease that produces the sudden or progressive death of thousands of adult trees every year in Spain. A problematic whose effect and virulence are favoured by climate change.

The migratory changes are an evidence of climate change effects. Within the scientific world, parts of these modifications are considered as bioindicators of the climate change.

In this sense, it has been confirmed a reduction in the reproductive success, a loss of condition of the chickens when they emancipate and a smaller recruitment of Pied Flycatchers during the last and a half decade. In the same way, it has been verified a delay in the date of spring arrival for 6 species of birds, in the last 50 years. It is worth highlighting that the number of observations of sub-Saharan migratory species is remarkably being increased in the last years in the Iberian Peninsula. Even in the case of other species, the majority of their populations have lost their condition of migratory, as it happens with the Common Stork and the Hoopoe.

Ecologistas en Acción consider fundamental to adopt palliative measures to generally reduce the effects of the climate change on the biodiversity and the birds in particular: To physically connect the more representative natural areas. To reframe the Strategic Infrastructure Plan (PEIT). The construction of the predicted infrastructures of transport would suppose the fragmentation of the territory and therefore major difficulties of adaptation of the botanical communities before the foreseeable changes of climatic character.

Also it would be important to establish a state network for the study of the evolution of the more sensible humid areas to the climate change. The design and application of management and conservation plans of the humid areas to reduce the impact of other disturbance factors, like the over-exploitation of groundwaters or contamination episodes that affect to the practical totality of wetlands of special interest.