From the deserts of North Africa to the temperate zones of Northern Europe, migratory birds depend on these places for rest, food and breeding grounds. But high temperatures and prolonged heat waves are causing irreversible damage to these delicate ecosystems and the birds that depend on them. This year, 15% fewer birds are using European desert stopover sites.
According to BirdLife International and the European Commission, species such as the tree turtle are particularly affected, struggling to survive their long migrations due to poor conditions on arrival. euronews.com.
“When you consider migratory species, especially birds, they travel enormous distances. However, these habitats are becoming too hot for both migratory and native species," explains Neil Lister from the Suffolk and Essex Coasts and the Heath National Landscape.
The current heat wave in Europe is one of the longest and most intense in history
Continuing for more than two months, temperatures have consistently exceeded historical averages, with some areas seeing unprecedented highs. This prolonged heat has resulted in significant ecological stress, particularly on wastelands that are critical stopover and breeding grounds for migratory birds. Such lands are found in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Spain, France and the United Kingdom and are characterized by heather, grasses that grow in sandy, acidic soils.
In the last decade, wastelands across Europe have faced significant degradation. Between 2000 and 2018, the extent of deserts and shrublands decreased by 1,2%, mainly due to deforestation, fires and urban sprawl exacerbated by global warming, according to the European Environment Agency.
In northwestern Spain, more than 7000 hectares of European dry wasteland were lost between 2003 and 2011, a decrease of 20,3%, according to the MDPI.
What are the most affected places?
Conservation of ecosystems is vital not only to preserve biodiversity, but also to maintain the ecological balance that sustains life. As climate change continues to affect these regions, preserving these critical resting places and the biodiversity they support remains a key focus for conservationists across Europe.
On Denmark's Jutland peninsula, wasteland serves as a vital stopover and breeding ground for numerous bird species. The continued rise in temperature has led to significant habitat changes, making it difficult for birds to find suitable food and shelter.
The Dutch heath is also facing similar pressures, with rising temperatures leading to a change in plant species composition and declining populations of insects, major food sources for migrating birds.
French wastelands are also under threat, experiencing similar pressures from rising temperatures and habitat degradation affecting native and migratory bird species, according to Research and Innovation.
These lands are vital carbon sinks
It's not just birds that suffer when wastelands are damaged. They are also critical carbon sinks, helping to mitigate climate change by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide. They support a wide range of biodiversity, including rare and endangered species.
The dense root systems of desert plants prevent soil erosion, maintain water quality and regulate water flow, reducing the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall and maintaining a stable water supply during periods of drought.