Spatiotemporal effects of artificial lighting on migratory birds

Huson, Lars (2021) Spatiotemporal effects of artificial lighting on migratory birds. Bachelor's Thesis, Biology.

Preview	Text bBIO_2021_HusonLSA.pdf Download (450kB) | Preview
	Text toestemming.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (133kB)

Abstract

Nowadays artificial light can be found almost anywhere, but from an ecological perspective it is a relatively new phenomenon. The brightening of what used to be dark environments comes with significant consequences to the natural world. Internal biological rhythms are of substantial importance to the adaptation and thus survival of species. This literature review explores the topic of artificial light at night on migratory birds. The artificial light disrupts internal circadian and circannual rhythms used, among other things, to control timing of migration. This disruption leads to a desynchrony between avian migration timing and peaks in food abundance and optimal nesting times, leading to suboptimal fitness in migratory birds. In addition, phototaxis is very strong in migratory birds. Artificial lights blind and distract birds during migration, causing collisions, disorientation, and exhaustion responsible for millions of deaths each year. Many things can be done to reduce avian mortality due to artificial light, such as dimming or turning off lights, changing colours and wavelengths of the emitted light, or directing light at areas where it is most needed. Implementing these relatively simple measures sooner rather than later may contribute significantly to the conservation of avian species.

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)
Supervisor name:	Helm, B.
Degree programme:	Biology
Thesis type:	Bachelor's Thesis
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	25 May 2021 13:11
Last Modified:	25 May 2021 13:11
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/24449

Actions (login required)

View Item