Is Animal Migration Disappearing?

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): David S. Wilcove, Martin Wikelski

Primary Institution: Princeton University

Is the fading glory of migration really a significant issue?

Protecting the abundance of migratory species is crucial for maintaining ecological processes and services.

Many migratory species are in decline due to human activities.
Salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest have plummeted due to habitat destruction and overfishing.
Birdwatchers report fewer migratory songbirds returning each spring.
The number of saiga antelope in central Asia has dropped by over 95% in the past two decades.
Protecting migratory species requires proactive conservation efforts.

Many animals that migrate are becoming less common, which can hurt the environment. We need to protect them while they are still around.

The study does not provide a complete picture of the factors affecting migratory species.

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