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Warming Threatens Waterfowl A National Wildlife Federation Report Says Climate Change Could Reduce Habitat.

Posted on: Friday, 1 July 2005, 21:00 CDT

Climate change is emerging as a major threat to the duck and goose populations prized by hunters, says a new report by a wildlife advocacy group.

All geographic regions face threats from the effects of climate change, from wintering grounds along coastlines to resting grounds in Nebraska to breeding grounds in the Arctic, says the National Wildlife Federation report released this week.

"The science is telling us that we're in for some changes if we don't change what we're doing," said Duane Hovorka, executive director for the Nebraska Wildlife Federation, an affiliate of the national group.

Bill Grant, associate director of the Midwest Region of the Izaak Walton League, another conservation group, said the wildlife federation's report isn't surprising.

"The pace of change is already somewhat faster than we might have earlier expected," Grant said. "Should that continue, it would not be surprising if we notice significant changes in our lifetime."

The National Wildlife Federation is made up of a variety of outdoor enthusiasts, ranging from hunters and fishermen to environmentalists and birders. The Izaak Walton League's membership also is varied, but largely is made up of hunters and fishermen.

The wildlife federation's report, drawing from a number of scientific and government studies, says:

Sea levels, which could rise three to 34 inches over the next 95 years, could inundate 45 percent of coastal wetlands in the continental United States. This could damage wintering grounds of diving ducks, such as pintails and canvasbacks, and snow geese.

Snowpack in the Rockies may diminish and drought could worsen in the Plains, resulting in less water in the Platte and other regional rivers. Specifically, this could affect the sandhill crane and endangered whooping crane, which depend upon the Platte each spring as a place to rest and fatten up before heading north.

Seasonal ponds in the Prairie Pothole Region of the northern Great Plains are likely to dry up or contain water for shorter periods. The region is one of North America's most important breeding grounds for ducks. Calculations vary, but the changes could lead to a 9 percent to 69 percent reduction in ducks breeding there, affecting mallards, teal, gadwall and other species.

The Arctic, which serves as breeding habitat for 20 percent of America's waterfowl, is among the fastest-warming regions on earth. The permafrost is thawing and the tundra is disappearing.

Some species may see breeding success improve because of an increase in wetlands in the Arctic.

Others could be harmed by changes. For example, it may be harder for some waterfowl to find food if rising sea temperatures reduce the populations of some fish.

While much remains to be learned about climate change, the world's leading scientists have come to a consensus that the earth is warming. Scientists are less certain about the rate of warming and what exactly will happen in any one spot.

Humans largely contribute to global warming through such things as automobile exhaust and emissions from coal-fired electric plants and manufacturing plants.

The wildlife foundation report calls for government to curb global warming gases and to protect habitat.

Source: Omaha World - Herald

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