TITLE: Aeroecology: How the Rapid and Intense Climatic Changes along with the Growing

Technology Affect the Bird Community

SIGNIFICANCE of the SEMINAR:

The Earth’s climate has been changing throughout history but what is of concern is how rapid and
intense it has been occurring now, mainly due to anthropogenic activities. Aerial organisms, specifically
birds, are not exempted from the effects of climate change as they are directly affected by the changing
climatic factors and weather systems. The seminar will introduce aeroecology, a developing discipline for
studying how airborne organisms use and interact with other biotic and abiotic components of the
aerosphere. Since this field is essentially new and not familiar to all, it will be a great opportunity for
students to be introduced to these concepts which may allow them to gain new knowledge that can be
useful for their future studies.
OBJECTIVES of the SEMINAR:
The main objective of the seminar is to introduce the study of aeroecology and how it is
significant in the study of birds. Specifically, it aims to introduce how the rapid and intense global climatic
changes affect the bird communities from aeroecological perspective; discuss how the growing
technology affect the aeroecology; and present the significance of studying aerocology to the mitigation
and prevention of the possible negative effects of the concepts presented.
DISCUSSION:
I. Aeroecology
Aeroecology is the developing discipline for studying how airborne organisms utilize and
interact with other biotic and abiotic components of the aerosphere, the layer of the atmosphere
closest to the Earth’s surface.
II. Effects of Climate Change
Birds do not spend their entire lives in the aerosphere but they spend a portion of their
lives in this environment. Different studies have shown that migration patterns are heavily
influenced by the climatic conditions and weather systems. According to Carey (2009), the timing
of avian migrations are dependent on different endogenous mechanisms, ensuring that arrival to
and departure from breeding grounds is synchronized with moderate temperatures, peak food
availability and availability of nesting sites. Climate change also affects birds’ energy expenditure,
wingbeat patterns, respiration, and flight altitudes.
III. Effects of the Growing Technology
Aviation is a threat to aerial organisms as it can cause collisions and even stress which
can not only affect flight but even seasonal migration patterns. Collisions with man-made objects
such as buildings, power lines, tall towers, and wind turbines as well as the rapid and massive
expansions of human structures and activities and habitat alterations, kill a considerable number
of birds each year, while estimates of mortality and ecological impact vary greatly (Cryan et al.
2014, Lambertucci et al. 2014).
IV. Mitigation and Prevention
To address the challenges brought upon by climate change and the growing technology,
it is necessary to first understand the flight patterns and migration routes of birds and how they
respond to these challenges. Radar-based technology is one of the most useful tools used in
aeroecology to investigate flight, foraging and migratory activity of birds. we can look at the
possibility of using other available technology including thermal infrared imaging, tracking bird
individuals through GPS or radio-transmitters to further our advances in understanding these
organisms. Lastly, the integration of different fields, including meteorology, evolutionary biology,
and engineering among many others, is necessary in mitigating and preventing the negative
effects of climate change and the growing technology to the avian community.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
 Birds are directly influenced by the aerosphere. Their flight, migratory patterns, foraging,
breeding, and dispersal are dependent on the atmospheric conditions such as temperature, respiration,
and wind drift. With global climate change, it is only expected that birds will also be influenced by the
rising temperature and the inconsistent climate patterns. However, the few available knowledge that we
have on how they will be influenced by these factors remain a challenge. Despite the availability of data
that human structures such as power lines and tall buildings, as well as aviation, are threats to the bird
community, little efforts have been made to mitigate this problem. The study of aeroecology allows us to
see these problems from a different perspective. The availability of data in this field which are not
considered in other fields may help in the advancement of knowledge to bird communities and to the field
of aeroecology may allow us to use these organisms as climatic indicators and help us develop more
sustainable technologies in the future. Lastly, aeroecology offers a new perspective on how
understanding the services provided by birds and other aerial fauna and flora is significant to maintaining
ecosystems, human health, and even Earth’s biodiversity.

REFERENCES (at least 5, majority should be journal articles):

Cryan, P. M., Gorresen, P. M., Hein, C. D., Schirmacher, M. R., Diehl, R. H., Huso, M. M., ... & Dalton, D.
C. (2014). Behavior of bats at wind turbines. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111(42),
15126-15131.

Fijn, R. C., Krijgsveld, K. L., Poot, M. J., & Dirksen, S. (2015). Bird movements at rotor heights measured
continuously with vertical radar at a D utch offshore wind farm. Ibis, 157(3), 558-566.

Kranstauber, B., Weinzierl, R., Wikelski, M., & Safi, K. (2015). Global aerial flyways allow efficient
travelling. Ecology letters, 18(12), 1338-1345.

Kunz, T. H., Gauthreaux Jr, S. A., Hristov, N. I., Horn, J. W., Jones, G., Kalko, E. K., ... & Wikelski, M.
(2008). Aeroecology: probing and modeling the aerosphere. Integrative and comparative biology, 48(1),
1-11.

La Sorte, F. A., Hochachka, W. M., Farnsworth, A., Sheldon, D., Van Doren, B. M., Fink, D., & Kelling, S.
(2015). Seasonal changes in the altitudinal distribution of nocturnally migrating birds during autumn
migration. Royal Society open science, 2(12), 150347.

Péron, G., Fleming, C. H., Duriez, O., Fluhr, J., Itty, C., Lambertucci, S., ... & Calabrese, J. M. (2017). The
energy landscape predicts flight height and wind turbine collision hazard in three species of large soaring
raptor. Journal of Applied Ecology, 54(6), 1895-1906.

Shamoun-Baranes, J., Liechti, F., & Vansteelant, W. M. (2017). Atmospheric conditions create freeways,
detours and tailbacks for migrating birds. Journal of Comparative Physiology A, 203(6), 509-529.