This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Thursday, 25 November 2021
Albatross on a Hot Tin Roof?
Albatross are one of the most reliably monogamous birds. Pairs can stay together for decades. A Royal Society study of 15,500 pairs of breeding Black-browed albatross suggests, however, that things are changing (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/24/climate-crisis-pushes-albatross-divorce-rates-higher-study). The normal rate of breakdown of pair bonds in the species is 1-3%. In recent times, however, global heating, with warming seas, have forced the albatross to travel much further, when foraging for food for their chick. This stresses the birds and has resulted in the 'divorce rate' (breakdown of the pair bond) climbing to 8%. The bird's mating system seems to be failing, as temperatures continue to rise.
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