Status and trends of tundra birds across the circumpolar Arctic

Abstract

Tundra-breeding birds face diverse conservation challenges, from accelerated rates of Arctic climate change to threats associated with highly migratory life histories. Here we summarise the status and trends of Arctic terrestrial birds (88 species, 228 subspecies or distinct flyway populations) across guilds/regions, derived from published sources, raw data or, in rare cases, expert opinion. We report long-term trends in vital rates (survival, reproduction) for the handful of species and regions for which these are available. Over half of all circumpolar Arctic wader taxa are declining (51% of 91 taxa with known trends) and almost half of all waterfowl are increasing (49% of 61 taxa); these opposing trends have fostered a shift in community composition in some locations. Declines were least prevalent in the African-Eurasian Flyway (29%), but similarly prevalent in the remaining three global flyways (44-54%). Widespread, and in some cases accelerating, declines underscore the urgent conservation needs faced by many Arctic terrestrial bird species.

Shorebird Reproductive Response to Exceptionally Early and Late Springs Varies Across Sites in Arctic Alaska

“…Shorebirds are one of the most diverse and abundant avian taxonomic groups of the Arctic environment, with 41 species (117 subspecies or populations) migrating to the Arctic to breed (Smith et al, 2020). Three potential demographic metrics that may be influenced by annual weather conditions are nest density, nest initiation, and nest synchrony.…”

Sandpipers go with the flow: Correlations between estuarine conditions and shorebird abundance at an important stopover on the Pacific Flyway

“…(Table 2) indicates this trend was not statistically significant. Arctic-breeding shorebird populations (Smith et al, 2020), and suggests further conservation actions are needed to preserve this abundant species (Hope et al, 2019).…”

“…Worldwide, monitoring programs report widespread declines of shorebird populations (Bart et al., 2007; Murray et al., 2018; Rosenberg et al., 2019; Smith et al., 2020; Wetlands International, 2012; Zöckler et al., 2013). Anthropogenic habitat alteration at nonbreeding and stopover sites is thought to be one critical driver of shorebird trends (Murray et al., 2014; Studds et al., 2017; Thomas et al., 2006).…”

Arctic terrestrial biodiversity status and trends: A synopsis of science supporting the CBMP State of Arctic Terrestrial Biodiversity Report

“…While several taxa declined, status is (so far) only known to be critical for a handful of species: the 'possibly extinct' (sensu IUCN Redlist terminology) Eskimo curlew (Numenius borealis), the 'critically endangered' Siberian crane (Leucogeranus leucogeranus) and spoon-billed sandpiper (Calidris pygmaea), three 'near threatened' subspecies of the red knot-the rufa in the Americas flyway and the pierssmai and rogersi in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway-and the 'near threatened' western Palearctic subpopulation of the lesser white-fronted goose (Smith et al 2020).…”